Two Hurt in Onondaga Thruway Work-Zone Crash: Two people suffered minor injuries after a tractor-trailer struck a concrete barrier in an active New York State Thruway work zone and triggered a chain-reaction crash in Onondaga County, State Police said.
The crash was reported at about 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, on Interstate 90 in the town of Van Buren. Troopers from Troop T in Syracuse responded after the tractor-trailer jackknifed in the westbound lanes.
Police identified the truck driver as Steven Garpue Nauhn, 38, of Rochester. Investigators said he was driving a 2020 Freightliner west through the work zone when he lost control and struck a concrete barrier.
The impact pushed the barrier into the eastbound side of the highway. Three eastbound vehicles then became involved in a chain-reaction crash while their drivers attempted to avoid the obstruction, police said.
Drivers taken to hospital
Nauhn and the driver of one of the other vehicles were taken to Upstate University Hospital with minor injuries, according to the official State Police release.
Police said speed appeared to have contributed to the crash. Nauhn received tickets for vehicle and traffic-law violations and is scheduled to appear in Van Buren Town Court at a later date.
A traffic ticket is an allegation, not a finding of guilt. The case will proceed through the local court.
State Police did not identify the other injured driver or the people in the remaining vehicles. The release also did not provide estimates of vehicle damage or describe how long traffic was disrupted.
Concrete barrier crossed into opposing traffic
The unusual danger in this crash came from the movement of the work-zone barrier. Concrete barriers are placed to separate traffic from construction activity and from lanes moving in another direction.
When the tractor-trailer struck the barrier, police said it was pushed into eastbound traffic. Drivers approaching from the opposite direction then had little time to react.
Large trucks carry more weight and require more distance to stop than passenger vehicles. A sudden steering correction can also increase the risk of a trailer swinging sideways or jackknifing.
Why work zones require extra distance
Work zones can narrow lanes, shift traffic and reduce the space available for emergency maneuvers. Barriers may be close to moving vehicles, and workers or equipment may be nearby.
Drivers should reduce speed before entering the zone, increase following distance and avoid distractions. Watching several vehicles ahead can provide more warning when traffic slows suddenly.
Motorists should also avoid driving beside a large truck longer than necessary. Trucks have significant blind spots, and wind or lane shifts can affect their movement.
State reports hundreds of work-zone crashes
State Police said 228 crashes occurred in Thruway work zones during 2025, resulting in 28 injuries.
Those figures cover crashes within the Thruway system, not every road-construction crash across New York. Still, they show that work-zone danger is not limited to construction workers. Drivers and passengers are also at risk.
The police reminder following Thursday’s crash called on motorists to slow down, remain alert and follow New York’s Move Over Law.
The Move Over Law requires drivers to take precautions when approaching stopped emergency or hazard vehicles. When possible and safe, a driver should move out of the lane next to the stopped vehicle. If changing lanes is not possible, the driver must slow down.
Local importance for Mohawk Valley drivers
The crash occurred west of Syracuse, but the Thruway is a daily transportation link for drivers from Utica, Rome and the wider Mohawk Valley. Residents use the route for work, medical care, college, freight and travel.
Construction zones can change from one trip to the next. A lane that was open during a morning drive may be shifted or closed later. Drivers should watch signs and electronic message boards rather than depending on memory.
Freight traffic also makes the highway important to the regional economy. Safe movement of trucks protects drivers while helping goods reach stores and businesses without costly disruption.
Simple steps before entering a work zone
Drivers should put away phones, follow posted speed limits and allow extra travel time. Seat belts should be used by every person in the vehicle.
If traffic begins to slow, drivers should activate brake lights early and avoid sudden lane changes. They should never drive around cones or enter a closed lane unless directed by police or a flagger.
Thursday’s crash illustrates how quickly one loss of control can create danger on both sides of a divided highway. State Police said speeding and other risky behavior increase the chance of a crash and place workers and motorists in danger.
The investigation resulted in traffic tickets, and the court will determine the outcome. The broader safety lesson is immediate: work zones leave less room for error, so every driver must slow down and pay close attention.
