A wrong-way crash on the NYS Thruway southbound claimed the life of a 33-year-old man early Saturday morning, June 21, prompting a full investigation by New York State Police.
Authorities say the collision occurred at approximately 3:01 a.m. near Mile Marker 18.9, just west of Exit 12, in the Town of Clarkstown. Troopers from Troop T Zone 1 responded to the scene following reports of a vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes.
According to a preliminary investigation by the State Police Uniform Division, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU), a 2024 Subaru WRX operated by Brian P. Tortora of New York was driving the wrong way when it struck a 2017 Volvo truck towing a trailer, driven by 52-year-old Roberto A. Rondon-Fleites.
Immediately following the initial impact, the Subaru was struck by a 2016 Freightliner truck towing a trailer, operated by 27-year-old Wilber M. Ramos. The Freightliner then crashed into the Volvo truck before coming to a stop.
Mr. Tortora, the sole occupant of the Subaru, was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Rondon-Fleites sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Nyack Hospital, while Mr. Ramos was uninjured. No passengers were involved in any of the vehicles.
State Police collision experts thoroughly processed the scene, and the investigation remains ongoing.
