Two overnight tractor trailer crashes in Broome Co., Cortland Co.

BROOME COUNTY (WIVT/WBGH) — Two separate late-night tractor trailer crashes temporarily shut down parts of I-81 Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

Within an hour of each other, New York State Police at Binghamton and Homer were pushed into action Wednesday, September 3 as the time crossed into the early hours of Thursday morning.

According to NYSP, the Binghamton Unit responded to a three-vehicle crash at 11:15 p.m. on I-81 near the town of Lisle in Broome County. As police investigated the scene, it was determined that a tractor trailer heading south on I-81 went off the roadway into the grassy median. The 28-year-old driver of the trailer attempted to bring it back on the roadway and overturned in the process, blocking both southbound lanes.

A Mercedes Benz driven by a 19-year-old was heading directly for the overturned truck, but could not avoid it and hit the cab of the trailer. Following that, another tractor trailer heading south collided with the trailer portion of the overturned vehicle. Neither tractor trailer drivers were injured, and the Mercedes driver was taken to Wilson Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Just over an hour later at 12:30 a.m. on September 4, NYSP at Homer received reports of a crash involving two tractor trailers near the town of Marathon on I-81 South. The ensuing investigation led to the conclusion of one tractor trailer driver not recognizing the trailer in front of them was slowing down, causing them to rear-end the trailer. No injuries were reported.

The portion of I-81 from Marathon to Lisle was closed for several hours. Police say it was due to the dense fog and the proximity of the two crashes.  The roadway was reopened at approximately 8:30 a.m.

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