Two tractor trailers jack-knife during snowy morning crash, forcing closure of I-81 south in Cortland County

New York – A winter morning commute in Cortland County was thrown into disruption on December 23, 2025, after a crash involving two tractor trailers forced the closure of Interstate 81 southbound for several hours. Snow-covered roads and reduced traction played a central role in the incident, which unfolded before sunrise and quickly drew a large emergency response.

According to New York State Police at Homer, troopers were dispatched to I-81 south near mile marker 42.6 in the town of Virgil at approximately 6:48 a.m. after reports came in of a serious commercial vehicle crash. When responders arrived, they found two tractor trailers that had both jack-knifed on the highway, blocking travel lanes and bringing traffic to a standstill.

A preliminary investigation conducted at the scene determined that weather conditions were a significant factor. One of the tractor trailers was traveling too fast for the snowy roadway when it lost control and jack-knifed. Moments later, a second tractor trailer approaching the scene attempted to avoid the first vehicle. Despite the effort to steer clear, the second truck also jack-knifed, and the two vehicles made contact.

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The driver of the first tractor trailer was identified as Salimov Olimjon, 23, of Brooklyn. Authorities reported that he did not complain of any injuries following the crash. The second driver, Flavio Pacheco, 50, of Fall River, Massachusetts, was not as fortunate. He was transported to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center as a precaution after reporting back pain. No other injuries were reported, and no additional vehicles were involved in the collision.

In addition to law enforcement and medical crews, environmental officials were called to the scene. The Department of Environmental Conservation spill response team responded after diesel fuel was found to have leaked from one of the trucks. Officials stated that remediation efforts were underway and that the spill was contained, posing no threat to the public or nearby environment.

The crash had a major impact on traffic throughout the morning hours. As of 11:00 a.m., Interstate 81 south between the McGraw and Marathon exits remained closed to all traffic. One of the tractor trailers had already been removed, while crews were still working to safely clear the second truck from the roadway. Heavy tow equipment and cleanup operations slowed progress, extending the closure well into the late morning.

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State Police urged drivers to use alternate routes and to exercise caution as winter weather continues to affect road conditions across the region. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing, but authorities emphasized that reduced speeds and increased following distances are critical during snow-covered conditions. The incident served as a stark reminder of how quickly winter weather can turn a routine drive into a dangerous situation.