Passenger bus rollover on New York State Thruway leaves 10 injured as investigation continues

New York – A passenger bus carrying travelers from Schenectady to New York City overturned Thursday morning on the southbound lanes of the New York State Thruway in Ulster County, leaving several people injured and prompting a large emergency response as authorities worked to investigate what caused the crash.

According to the New York State Police, the incident was reported at approximately 9:21 a.m. Troopers from Troop T in Newburgh and Troop F in Highland were dispatched to the scene near mile marker 69.5 in the town of Plattekill. The rollover happened along Interstate 87 between Exit 18, serving New Paltz and Poughkeepsie via Route 299, and Exit 17, which connects motorists to Newburgh, Interstate 84, and Routes 17K and 300.

Investigators said the bus was making its scheduled trip south with the driver and multiple passengers on board when it overturned. While the circumstances leading up to the crash remain under review, officials said the driver has been identified as 44-year-old Zhangrong Wang of Woodside.

Emergency crews quickly arrived and began assessing passengers. Authorities said 10 people were taken to nearby hospitals with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening. Other passengers who were not hurt were transported by another bus to a reunification center organized by the Ulster County Office of Emergency Management, where they could safely reconnect with family members and continue receiving assistance.

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State Police reported that Wang showed no signs of impairment following the crash. At this stage of the investigation, no traffic citations have been issued. Detectives continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the rollover to determine exactly what happened.

The crash significantly affected traffic on one of the state’s busiest highways. During the emergency response and the subsequent investigation, officials closed the left lanes in both the southbound and northbound directions of the Thruway for several hours. Those restrictions remained in place while first responders treated passengers, cleared the wreckage, and documented the scene. All lanes have since reopened, and normal traffic has resumed.

Investigators are now seeking additional information from the public. Anyone who witnessed the rollover or may have information that could assist the investigation is encouraged to contact the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Highland at 845-344-5300.

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A number of local and regional emergency agencies supported the response, including the Ulster County Office of Emergency Management, New Paltz Rescue, Wallkill Ambulance, Plattekill Fire EMS, Ambulnz, Town of Newburgh EMS, Empress EMS, Plattekill Fire Department, Cromner Valley Fire Department, Modena Fire Department, New Paltz Fire Department, Wallkill Fire Department, Esopus Ambulance, and the SUNY New Paltz Police Department. Their coordinated efforts helped care for passengers, manage traffic, and safely clear the scene while the investigation continues.