Large Section of I81 South in Cortland County Temporarily Shut Down Wednesday Morning After Two Separate Tractor Trailer Crashes

Around 11:15 in the evening on Tuesday, September 3rd, State Police in Binghamton responded to a three-vehicle crash on I81 South near mile marker 31.5 in the Town of Lisle. The crash led to I81 closing from Exit 39 (Old Exit 9) in Marathon with traffic diverted onto Route 11.

State Police tell X101 News an investigation at the scene found a tractor trailer was traveling southbound on I81 when it went off the roadway for an unknown reason. The driver of the tractor trailer, identified as 28 year old Singh Simran of Calgary Alberta, attempted to bring the tractor trailer back on the roadway from the grassy median, but ended up overturning and blocking both southbound lanes.

A vehicle also traveling south on I81 being driven by 19 year old Danial Kirmani, attempted to avoid striking the overturned trailer, but ended up hitting the cab of the tractor trailer. State Police then say a second tractor trailer driving on I81 South by 67 year old Mykola Khudyk of LaSalle Quebec, was unable to avoid the first tractor trailer and collided with the trailer of the overturned tractor trailer. Both drivers of the two tractor trailers were uninjured. The driver of the vehicle was transported to Wilson Hospital.

As State Police were on scene of the crash in Lisle, another call came in for a tractor trailer crash on I81 South near mile marker 40.3 in Marathon. State Police at Homer responded to the scene. As a result of the crash and heavy fog in the area. The closure of I81 South was extended to Exit 50 (Old Exit 10) in Polkville.

An investigation into the second crash found one tractor trailer driver, identified as 31 year old Nicholas Espino of the Bronx, failed to observe a second tractor trailer slowing down on I81 South and subsequently rear ended the tractor trailer. State Police identified the driver of the tractor trailer that was hit as 34 year old Gregory S. Wilson of Mexico, NY. No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

I81 South was closed for several hours as a result of both crashes and due to the dense fog. I81 South reopened around 8:30 Wednesday morning.