Flying Trailer Part Kills Truck Driver in I-90 Fatal Collision

State Police say a piece of a westbound trailer became airborne, crossed the I-90 median and struck an oncoming truck driver near Hanover.

A deadly I-90 fatal collision in western New York took an alarming turn Wednesday when New York State Police revealed that the truck driver who died was apparently struck by a piece of equipment that broke away from another trailer, flew across the highway median and crashed through the path of his tractor-trailer.

The victim was identified as Petros D. Liben, 54, of Bartlett, Tennessee. He was driving a 2020 Volvo tractor with a 53-foot trailer eastbound on Interstate 90 in the Town of Hanover when the crash occurred at approximately 10:05 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17.

The case remains under investigation.

State Police Reveal New Details About I-90 Fatal Collision

The original State Police investigation found that Liben’s tractor-trailer left the eastbound lanes, traveled onto the north shoulder and struck a guide rail. Liben suffered injuries to his face and abdomen.

He was airlifted to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, where he later died from his injuries.

But investigators continued examining what caused the commercial truck to leave the highway.

On Wednesday, Aug. 19, State Police released a significant update.

Investigators determined that a fender and mudflap assembly sheared off a 32-foot trailer being pulled by a 2019 Dodge Ram traveling westbound on I-90. State Police said part of the assembly became airborne, crossed the center median and traveled directly into the path of Liben’s eastbound Volvo.

The debris struck Liben, according to police.

That finding changes the picture of the I-90 fatal collision from what initially appeared to be a single-vehicle crash into an investigation involving equipment that separated from another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.

What Investigators Have Confirmed

According to the New York State Police:

• The crash happened at approximately 10:05 p.m. Aug. 17.
• Liben was traveling eastbound on I-90 in Hanover.
• He was operating a 2020 Volvo tractor with a 53-foot trailer.
• A 2019 Dodge Ram was pulling a 32-foot trailer westbound.
• A fender/mudflap component separated from that trailer.
• The object became airborne and crossed the interstate median.
• It entered the path of Liben’s truck and struck him.
• Liben was flown to Erie County Medical Center but died from his injuries.
• The investigation remains active.

Police have not announced criminal charges in connection with the crash. The State Police release also does not identify the driver of the Dodge Ram or state what investigators believe caused the fender and mudflap assembly to separate.

Those questions remain unresolved publicly as of Aug. 19.

Several State Police Units Join Investigation

Because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the I-90 fatal collision, several specialized agencies and State Police units responded.

They included the New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, Collision Reconstruction Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigation, along with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Spill Response Unit.

Collision reconstruction specialists typically help investigators examine physical evidence from serious crashes to determine how events unfolded. In this case, the investigation ultimately led police to identify the trailer component that they say crossed from the westbound side of the highway into the eastbound truck’s path.

State Police have emphasized that the investigation is still active, meaning additional findings could be released.

Road Debris Can Become a Deadly Highway Hazard

The circumstances surrounding Liben’s death underscore a highway danger that receives far less attention than speeding, impaired driving or distracted driving: objects coming loose from vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that unsecured loads and roadway objects can result in deadly crashes.

According to NHTSA, about 850 people are killed and nearly 19,000 are injured each year in crashes involving objects in the roadway. The federal agency also reports that 73% of vehicles involved in those crashes are passenger vehicles.

NHTSA puts the warning plainly:

“More than 800 fatalities a year are attributed to unsecured loads.”

The federal safety agency urges motorists transporting cargo or towing trailers to make sure their loads and equipment are properly secured before entering the road.

It is important, however, not to draw conclusions that investigators have not made in this particular case. State Police have not publicly said that the trailer involved was improperly maintained or that its operator acted negligently. They have only reported that the fender/mudflap assembly sheared off the trailer and became airborne.

Determining why that happened is part of the investigation.

A Routine Drive Turned Fatal in Seconds

What makes this I-90 fatal collision especially troubling is the apparent lack of opportunity Liben may have had to avoid what was coming toward him.

According to the police account, the object originated from a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, crossed the center median and moved into the path of his windshield.

At interstate speeds, an unexpected piece of vehicle equipment can become a dangerous projectile.

The incident is a reminder for anyone towing a trailer — commercial operator or private motorist — to inspect the vehicle, hitch, tires and exterior equipment before traveling. NHTSA similarly recommends checking that cargo and other transported items are firmly secured and cannot shift or fall into the roadway.

For commercial operators, that responsibility is even more significant because of the amount of time and distance their vehicles spend on major highways.

What Happens Next

State Police have not announced a timetable for completing the investigation.

Questions investigators may seek to resolve include why the trailer component separated, whether mechanical failure or another factor played a role, and whether any additional enforcement action is appropriate. Those are investigative questions, however, and no conclusions should be drawn until State Police release further information.

As of Wednesday, the confirmed facts remain stark: a truck driver traveling east on the New York State Thruway was struck after part of another trailer became airborne from the opposite side of the interstate.

Liben was critically injured and later died.

For his family, what began as another trip on one of New York’s busiest highways ended in tragedy.

For other drivers, the crash carries a simple safety lesson: a vehicle or trailer component that appears small at rest can become deadly once it breaks free at highway speed.

Motorists towing trailers should inspect their equipment before every trip, secure anything capable of coming loose and address damaged or questionable components before getting on the highway.

The Utica Phoenix will update this report if New York State Police release additional findings or announce charges in connection with the I-90 fatal collision.

Sources

• New York State Police, Aug. 19, 2026 update on the commercial vehicle fatal collision.
• New York State Police, original Aug. 18 report on the Hanover collision.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Drive Safe: Secure Your Load.”