Virgil, NY (December 23, 2025) – Interstate 81 southbound in the Town of Virgil has fully reopened to traffic following a multi-hour closure caused by a collision between two tractor-trailers on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred at approximately 6:48 a.m. near mile marker 42.6, between the McGraw and Marathon exits.
According to the New York State Police at Homer, a preliminary investigation revealed that the first tractor-trailer, operated by Salimov Olimjon, 23, of Brooklyn, was traveling too fast for the snowy and hazardous road conditions. The vehicle jack-knifed, blocking the roadway. A second tractor-trailer, driven by Flavio Pacheco, 50, of Fall River, Massachusetts, attempted to avoid the first truck but also jack-knifed, leading to a collision between the two rigs. Pacheco was transported to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center for a complaint of back pain, while Olimjon reported no injuries. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) spill response team was also called to the scene to remediate a diesel fuel leak, which officials confirmed posed no threat to the public.
Liability and Safety Obligations in Snow-Related Commercial Truck Crashes
This incident highlights the heightened legal responsibility placed on commercial truck drivers when navigating winter weather conditions. In New York, “traveling too fast for conditions” is a frequent factor in liability determinations, even if the driver is technically under the posted speed limit. Commercial drivers are trained and required by federal safety regulations to exercise extreme caution and reduce speeds significantly—or even cease operations—when snow and ice make the roadway hazardous. If a driver’s failure to adjust for weather leads to a jack-knife, they and their employer can be held liable for the resulting chain-reaction accidents and injuries.
How Can We Help
At Stanley Law, we help victims of vehicle accidents work through the difficulties of insurance matters and personal injury lawsuits. If you or a loved one were involved in this I-81 collision or suffered injuries due to a jack-knifed commercial vehicle, our New York truck accident lawyer is ready to launch an immediate investigation to secure logbooks, dashcam footage, and maintenance records. We hold negligent trucking companies accountable so you can focus on your recovery. Call us at 888-997-3889 for a free consultation today and let us fight for your rights.
