Dryden, N.Y. – Early Thursday morning, a Mix Brothers tractor‑trailer transporting pavement millings overturned on State Route 13 after a crash with a 2021 Kia SUV. The incident caused a temporary shutdown of the highway in both directions, prompting a swift response from Ithaca police and emergency services.
What happened
According to the police report, the Kia SUV was traveling east on Gulf Hill Road and entered the intersection to make a left turn onto Route 13. The oncoming tractor‑trailer, which was already in the lane, had the right of way. The SUV driver failed to yield, causing the two vehicles to collide.
The impact pushed the SUV rear‑first into the tractor‑trailer. The SUV spun off the road and came to rest in a ditch, while the tractor‑trailer was forced off the pavement. The trailer tipped onto its side, blocking traffic on both lanes of Route 13.
Injuries and citations
The driver of the tractor‑trailer was transported by ambulance to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center for evaluation. No serious injuries were reported at the time of writing. The SUV driver was not injured but was cited for multiple traffic violations, including failure to yield and unsafe turn.
Response and cleanup
Ithaca police arrived on scene shortly after the crash was reported. Officers secured the area, directed traffic, and coordinated with the New York State Department of Transportation to clear the overturned trailer. By late morning, the road was reopened after the trailer was righted and the debris removed.
Local residents were advised to use alternate routes while the cleanup was underway. The incident highlights the importance of yielding at intersections, especially on rural highways where large commercial vehicles share the road with passenger cars.
Community impact
Dryden’s town officials thanked first responders for their quick action and reminded drivers to exercise caution on state routes, particularly during early‑morning hours when visibility can be reduced. The town’s public works department noted that the pavement millings being hauled are part of ongoing road‑maintenance projects in the region, underscoring the essential role of commercial trucking in keeping local infrastructure in good condition.
Authorities will continue to investigate the crash to determine if any additional traffic safety measures are needed at the intersection of Gulf Hill Road and Route 13.
Original reporting: CNY Central WSTM (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
