1 Killed, 1 Injured In Crash Of Tractor-Trailers On Thruway

WOODBURY, NY — One person was killed and another injured in a crash involving two tractor-trailers on the New York State Thruway.

The New York State Police said the crash happened around 12:10 a.m. Wednesday on Interstate 87 between exit 17 (Newburgh) and exit 16 (Harriman).

A preliminary investigation found that Sean M. Haley, 30, of Albany, was driving a Peterbilt tractor-trailer south on I-87 in the area of mile marker 47.2 when he sideswiped a Volvo bobtail tractor which was stopped on the right shoulder of the roadway.

Police said Jose L. Payano, 42, of Plainfield, New Jersey, who was driving the Volvo, was outside of the vehicle for an unknown reason and was struck by the tractor-trailer.

He suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Upon impact, the Peterbilt tractor-trailer rolled over, blocking all southbound lanes of travel.

Haley was transported to Garnett Health Medical Center for injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening. He was ticketed as a result of the crash, police said.

Law enforcement said southbound traffic was diverted off the Thruway at exit 17 (Newburgh) for several hours while accident reconstruction, vehicle recovery and cleanup efforts were completed.

Troopers were assisted on the scene by Troop F BCI and Collision Reconstruction Unit, Troop T Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit and Thruway Traffic Safety & Maintenance.