No Injuries After Ryder Truck Strikes SUV Causing it to Rollover on I81 South Wednesday

Just after 1:40 in the afternoon on Wednesday, May 14th, New York State Police, Homer Fire, and TLC Ambulance were dispatched to the area of mile-marker 55.4 of I81 Southbound just north of the Exit 54 (Old Exit 12) off ramp in Homer.

Cortland County 9-1-1 reported a vehicle had rolled over and was in the median of the highway; it was added there were no injuries, but there was entrapment. As Troopers arrived on scene, they confirmed the driver of the SUV, identified as 21 year old Matthew R. Gassner of Cortland, was able to self extricate.

An investigation into the cause of the crash determined a Ryder Truck Rental, driven by 31 year old Kendrick C. Torres of Yonkers, was in the right lane on I81 south when he moved to the left lane that Gassner was driving in. Torres struck Gassner’s vehicle, a Jeep Compass, and caused it to go off the highway and overturn. State Police confirmed no one was injured.

Torres was ticketed as a result of the crash. The left lane of I81 South was briefly closed as crews worked to remove the overturned Jeep.