Driver Killed Is ID'd In Wrong-Way Crash Involving 2 Jackknifed Semis, Car On I-87

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — An early morning wrong-way crash, near the Palisades Mall, has taken the life of New York man.

The New York State Police are investigating the fatal three-vehicle crash that took place early this morning, on Interstate 87 southbound, in the Town of Clarkstown.

At 3:01 a.m., state police responded to reports of a motor vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver.

The preliminary investigation, conducted by members of Troop T Uniform, the Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the Troop F Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU), found that a 2024 Subaru WRX, driven by 33-year-old Brian P. Tortora, of New York, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of I-87.

In the area of mile marker 18.9, less than a quarter mile west of Exit 12, Tortora's vehicle struck a 2017 Volvo truck towing a trailer, operated by 52-year-old Roberto A. Rondon-Fleites.

Following the initial collision, the Subaru was then struck by a 2016 Freightliner, towing a trailer, driven by 27-year-old Wilber M. Ramos. The Freightliner then collided with the Volvo truck before coming to a stop.

Tortora was pronounced dead at the scene. Rondon-Fleites was taken to Nyack Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Ramos was not injured. All three drivers were the only occupants in their respective vehicles.

The scene was processed by the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit. The crash investigation remains ongoing, according to state police.