Woodbury, NY – On January 10, 2024, at approximately 12:10 a.m., State Police responded to a serious injury crash involving two tractor trailers on I-87, between exit 17 (Newburgh) and exit 16 (Harriman).
A preliminary investigation determined that Sean M. Haley, 30, of Albany, NY, was operating a Peterbilt tractor trailer southbound 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. The crash claimed the life of 42-year-old Jose L. Payano, of Plainfield, NJ, who was the driver of the Volvo, outside of the vehicle for an unknown reason, and was also struck by the tractor trailer. Payano suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Upon impact, the Peterbilt tractor trailer rolled over, blocking all southbound lanes of travel. Haley was transported to Garnett Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries and was ticketed as a result of the crash.
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 scene by Troop F BCI and CRU (Collision Reconstruction Unit), Troop T CVEU (Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit), and Thruway Traffic Safety & Maintenance.
Contact Troop T Public Information Officer: Trooper Tara L. McCormick
Troop T Commander:
Major Andre J. Ray