PATTERSON, NY – A rollover crash involving a dump truck caused significant traffic delays on Interstate 84 Tuesday, after the vehicle veered off the road and overturned down an embankment near the Route 311 interchange in Patterson.
Truck Veers Off Road, Overturns
The incident occurred in the eastbound lanes of I-84 when a 2006 Peterbilt dump truck, operated by 60-year-old Brian Turner of Holmes, suffered a tire failure. The mechanical issue caused the driver to lose control, sending the truck off the highway. In its path, the vehicle tore through several hundred feet of guide wire before plunging down an embankment and overturning.
Emergency Response
The 9-1-1 Center in Carmel received multiple emergency calls just after the crash. First responders from the Patterson and Putnam Lake Fire Departments, Patterson Community Ambulance, an Empress paramedic unit, State Police, Kent Police, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and Bureau of Emergency Services quickly responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, crews found a small fire in the wrecked vehicle. The blaze was promptly extinguished before it could spread or cause further damage.
Trooper Krystal Paolicelli, spokesperson for New York State Police Troop K, confirmed the tire failure as the cause of the crash.
Driver Transported With Minor Injuries
The driver, Brian Turner, was transported to Danbury Hospital. Fortunately, his injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening.
In addition to the crash response, the Putnam County Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Team was called in to manage fluid spills at the scene. Leaking diesel fuel and hydraulic oil posed an environmental and safety concern, which responders worked to contain and clean up.
Prolonged Traffic Delays Across Putnam County
The crash caused a major backup on I-84 eastbound. Traffic was tied up for several hours, with delays stretching from the Dutchess County line through the towns of Kent, Patterson, and Southeast.
To avoid the congestion, many drivers exited at Ludingtonville Road, leading to heavy traffic on alternate routes, including Routes 52 and 6. Commuters across eastern Putnam County experienced gridlock throughout much of the day.
Cleanup and Recovery
Recovery crews worked for hours to upright the overturned dump truck and tow it from the scene. By late afternoon, the roadway was cleared, though lingering delays continued as traffic returned to normal.
Authorities are reminding drivers to remain alert and cautious, especially near construction vehicles and large trucks, as mechanical failures can occur without warning.
The crash remains under investigation by State Police.
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