Tractor Trailers, speed and poor decisions in Sullivan County
NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Patrick Regan
Troop F Commander
PRESS RELEASE
On Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at the start of the morning commute two traffic incidents occurred on State Rte 17 in the town of Rockland at Exit 96.
Robert L. Gould, age 50 of Fulton, NY was operating an MBI garbage tractor trailer leased by K&L leasing of Burnham, IL. Mr. Gould attempted to pass a NYS DOT plow truck on the right as the plow truck was actively plowing in the westbound lanes on State Rte 17. Mr. Gould’s tractor trailer struck the plow truck causing damage to his rig. After the side swipe the plow truck pulled into a U-turn and the garbage hauler pulled onto the right shoulder to access his damage.
Minutes later a tractor trailer owned by Midnight Express Corp of Jersey City, NJ and operated by Juan J. Torres, age 24 of Corona, NY lost control due to speed and slippery conditions and started to jack-knife. His rig struck the rear corner of the MBI trailer and ripped the side of his aluminum trailer apart causing extensive damage. Mr. Torres then did not stop and left the scene at a hight rate of speed. An off-duty NYS DOT employee driving his own personal vehicle witnessed the incident and followed the Midnight Express truck from the scene and into Delaware County and past the next four exits. The man was able to alert authorities via mobile phone to the whereabouts of the fleeing truck. The tractor trailer was traveling at very high speed and was finally detained at the East Branch Rest Area in the town of Hancock.
No one was injured in either accident. The NYS DOT plow truck sustained no damage during the first accident and Mr. Gould was ticketed for Unsafe Passing in that first event. As a result of the investigation into the second event Mr. Torres was ticketed for Speed Not Prudent or Reasonable (1180-a VTL), Speeding 90/55 mph (1180-b VTL) and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident (601 VTL). His tractor trailer was inspected by the Troop F Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit and put out-of-service due to the damage to the trailer.
