Mentz, NY (May 4, 2026) – Robert McFall, a 41-year-old man from North Carolina, was killed early Monday morning after his car was struck by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 90 in Cayuga County, according to New York State Police.
The collision occurred at approximately 4:17 a.m. in the Town of Mentz. Investigators say a westbound car crossed the center line, entered the eastbound lane, struck a guardrail, and came to a stop partially in the right lane on a slight curve in the road. A first eastbound tractor-trailer was able to avoid the disabled vehicle, but a second eastbound tractor-trailer struck the car.
McFall was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second tractor-trailer, Clifford Hurst, 59, of Florida, was not injured in the crash. According to New York State Police, the investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.
Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash Liability on New York’s Interstate 90
When a fatal crash involves a commercial tractor-trailer on a major interstate like I-90, multiple parties may bear legal responsibility. These can include the truck driver, the trucking company, and potentially other entities responsible for vehicle maintenance or cargo loading. Under New York’s pure comparative negligence standard, fault is assessed proportionally, and compensation is adjusted based on each party’s degree of responsibility.
Families who lose a loved one in a crash like this may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim in New York. Such claims can cover funeral and burial costs, lost future earnings, and the loss of companionship. New York imposes a two-year statute of limitations on wrongful death actions, making it important to act quickly to preserve critical evidence, including the truck’s black box data, electronic logging device records, and any available surveillance footage. Consulting an experienced Upstate New York truck accident attorney early in the process can help surviving family members understand their legal rights and protect vital evidence before it disappears.
Stanley Law Offices has spent decades fighting for families across Upstate New York and Pennsylvania:
- 45+ years fighting for the injured
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The loss of a loved one in a sudden and violent crash is a tragedy no family should face alone. If your family has been affected by a fatal truck accident on I-90 or anywhere across Upstate New York, contact Stanley Law Offices at 888-997-3889 for a free, private consultation. We are here to help.
