October 8th, 2010 | 
Author: CANASTOTA, NY – One person was killed Thursday afternoon, September 30, after being involved in a multi vehicle truck accident in Madison County, New York. The deadly collision between two semi trucks and a passenger car was set off by a minivan that went out of control on Interstate 90 near the town of Canastota. The truck accident area is in the north central section of New York State just east of Syracuse, about 121 miles west of Albany, NY and about 154 miles north of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
On Thursday afternoon two semi trailer trucks hauling trash were traveling through Madison County, NY, driving west on Interstate 90, also known as the New York Thruway. The first semi truck was driven by Hal G. Woods, 54, of Clifton Springs, NY and the second trailer truck was driven by David J. Gorinshek, 44, of Fairfield, NY. It was raining at the time and the interstate roads were slippery in spots.
The truck accident happened at around 2:00 p.m. as the two semi trailers drove near the exit for Canastota. An unidentified driver in the westbound passing lane of the thruway suddenly lost control of his minivan and crossed the highway. The truckers and several other drivers on the interstate attempted to maneuver out of the way to avoid hitting the minivan.
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As Mr. Woods pulled his rig to the right, Michael W. Almay, 55, of East Syracuse, NY driving a Hyundai Elantra also pulled his car to the right, directly in between the two trash hauling tractor trailers. The first semi suddenly slowed and the Hyundai was forced onto the shoulder. The second semi trailer truck driven by Mr. Gorinshek was unable to stop and went up over the Hyundai and rear-ended the first semi truck.
The force of the truck accident crushed the smaller vehicle and trapped Mr. Almy in his car. After the truck accident the 18 wheeler came to a rest at the side of the highway, with Mr. Almy’s car still attached to the semi’s back trailer section. The driver of the first semi, Mr. Woods, apparently did not realize he had been rear-ended and continued down the highway, where he was found a short time later.
It is not known what happened to the minivan which set off the chain reaction truck accident. Some reports indicated that the driver of the minivan regained control and continued on the interstate but others reported that the driver may have been taken to a hospital for treatment.
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Members of the Canastota Fire Department rushed to the scene of the truck accident. The rescue team had to use the Jaws of Life and other tools to extricate Mr. Almy from his demolished car. Unfortunately, he suffered fatal injuries in the collision and died at the scene.
The drivers of the two semi’s hauling trash did not suffer serious injuries in the truck accident and apparently did not require hospitalization.
New York State Police troopers also responded to the multi vehicle collision and diverted traffic around the truck accident site. They closed down the right lane of westbound I-90 so that emergency personnel could give aid to the victim. The closures would remain in place while highway crews were brought in to remove the mangled wreckage of the passenger car. The lane was reopened shortly before 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening.
NY State Commercial investigators were expected to conduct a reconstruction of the deadly truck accident. At this point they have not released their initial findings on the fatal collision. It was raining at the time and slick road surfaces may have contributed to the truck accident.
No charges or citations have been made and the truck accident remains under investigation.
Gordon Elias & Seely, LLP recommend that if you know anyone who has been injured or killed as the result of a commercial truck accident involving a semi truck, 18 wheeler, big rig, tractor trailer or bus, tell them to immediately contact a qualified truck accident lawyer for advice. Often times the truck company and the truck driver will be from other states other than where the accident occurred. Truck accident attorneys often times have relationships with other experienced truck accident attorneys licensed in other states. Gordon, Elias & Seely LLP are licensed in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Washington, DC and have informal relationships with other truck accident lawyers. For more information, visit their page about NY truck accidents or call 800.773.6770.
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