Monday Crash Halts Thruway Traffic
A tractor-trailer struck the South Broadway overpass on the southbound New York State Thruway in South Nyack, causing the truck’s upper structure to tear apart and flip onto its side before striking a parked vehicle. The crash, which occurred around 12:20 p.m. on a Monday, temporarily halted traffic and drew significant attention due to dashcam footage capturing the collision.
Exceeding the Height Limit
According to the New York State Police, the accident involved a 2020 Mack tractor-trailer registered to Eastern Express out of Indiana. The driver, identified as 50-year-old Pernell Harris of York, South Carolina, was operating a vehicle that exceeded the established height limit for that section of the highway. State regulations set the maximum allowable clearance at 13 feet and 6 inches.
Dashcam Captures Violent Impact
Dashcam footage shared by outlets including CBS New York and the New York Post shows the truck traveling on the New York State Thruway before its upper structure forcefully hits the underside of the South Broadway bridge. The impact instantly scatters debris across multiple lanes and forces surrounding motorists to brake sharply and swerve to avoid the wreckage.
Injuries and Citations Issued
Following the initial collision with the bridge structure, the toppled tractor-trailer slid and struck a parked 2025 Toyota located on the right shoulder of the interstate. Emergency responders transported the driver of the Toyota to Nyack Hospital with injuries that authorities confirmed were not life-threatening. The truck driver, Harris, emerged from the wreck without physical injury and was subsequently issued a citation for operating an over-height vehicle.
History at the South Broadway Bridge
The incident marks another collision involving the South Broadway overpass. In August 2023, a truck carrying heavy steel cargo struck the same bridge, resulting in severe structural damage that required the replacement of two approximately 31-meter, 23-ton bridge beams during extensive repairs.
Inspectors Clear Overpass for Travel
Following the latest crash, the New York State Thruway Authority dispatched inspectors to evaluate the overpass. Officials confirmed that the bridge sustained only minor damage and that its structural integrity remained intact. While state planning schedules indicate the overpass is slated for a future replacement project after 2029, traffic lanes affected by the debris were cleared and fully reopened to motorists by late afternoon.
Authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding the height clearance violation.
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