Troopers respond to multi-vehicle crash in I-81 work zone near Castle Creek that sends four people to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

New York – New York State Police responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 south in the town of Barker on Wednesday, August 19, after a tractor-trailer struck another vehicle while traffic was moving through an active work zone.

The crash happened at approximately 11:59 a.m. near Exit 21, also known as the Castle Creek exit. According to a preliminary investigation, the tractor-trailer collided with one vehicle, causing that vehicle to be pushed into a third vehicle.

The chain reaction continued when the third vehicle rolled over and then struck a fourth vehicle.

Four people were taken to UHS Wilson Medical Center following the crash. Each of the four vehicles had one occupant transported for medical treatment. State Police said the injuries were not life-threatening.

Despite the collision occurring in an active work zone, no construction workers were injured. Authorities also reported that none of the vehicles located within the work zone were damaged in the incident.

Interstate 81 south was temporarily closed while troopers and other emergency personnel responded to the scene and worked to manage the crash. The closure lasted only several minutes before the highway was reopened to traffic.

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The crash also resulted in a fuel spill from the tractor-trailer. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Spill Response team responded to the scene to address the spill.

Authorities were also dealing with another concern after the crash. Two dogs that had been inside one of the vehicles escaped from the scene following the collision.

The dogs were described as a German Shepherd and a poodle-type dog. They were last seen in the area around Interstate 81 and Route 11. Authorities were continuing to seek information about their whereabouts.

The incident brought several agencies and emergency personnel to the area as they responded to the crash, assisted those involved and worked to clear the roadway.

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The preliminary investigation indicates that the initial collision occurred as vehicles were traveling through the active work zone. Investigators have not yet released additional information about what may have caused the tractor-trailer to strike the first vehicle.

State Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Officials have not reported any injuries among workers at the work zone, and the highway was able to return to normal traffic shortly after the initial emergency response.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details may be released as troopers continue reviewing the events that led to the multi-vehicle collision.