SOUTH NYACK, N.Y. — A routine afternoon commute turned chaotic along the New York State Thruway on Monday, August 10, 2026, when a southbound tractor-trailer struck an overpass and overturned near mile marker 16.4 in South Nyack. The incident occurred shortly after 12:20 p.m. on Interstate 87 just before Exit 10. High-definition dashcam footage captured from a trailing commercial vehicle showed the top of the rig striking the underside of the South Broadway Bridge overpass, triggering a massive spray of concrete and metal debris before the tractor-trailer tipped onto its side and skidded along the pavement. State police and emergency personnel closed multiple travel lanes as investigation and cleanup operations began.
Dashcam Video Records Impact and Subsequent Collision
The harrowing moment of impact was captured by a dashcam mounted on a AAA Carting truck traveling a short distance behind the rig. The recording shows the tractor-trailer maintaining highway speeds in the right-center lane before its upper container structure collided directly with the bridge overhang. The force of the blow instantly crushed the top of the cargo box, sending dust and shattered components flying across all southbound lanes.
As the vehicle’s center of gravity shifted, the semi-truck violently rolled onto its passenger side and slid several dozen yards along the roadway surface. During its slide, the out-of-control rig struck a parked passenger vehicle stationed on the shoulder. The recording driver managed to slow down safely and steer past the wreckage without sustaining damage.
According to the New York State Police, the secondary impact occurred when the sliding trailer swerved into the emergency lane.
"The tractor trailer hit the South Broadway bridge overpass and then fell on its side," according to an official statement released by the New York State Police detailing the sequence of events. "It struck a Toyota parked on the right shoulder."
Emergency Response and Driver Status
First responders from local fire departments, Rockland County emergency medical services, and the New York State Police arrived at the scene within minutes of the crash. Paramedics immediately evaluated the driver of the overturned tractor-trailer, who managed to exit the cab without sustaining significant injuries.
However, the driver of the stationary Toyota struck on the shoulder suffered serious injuries and required immediate medical transportation. Emergency crews stabilized the victim at the scene before transferring them to a regional medical center for emergency treatment.
Updating the public on the condition of those involved, State Police representatives confirmed the health status of both individuals in an official press briefing.
"The Toyota's driver was rushed to the hospital and is expected to survive," state police officials stated following initial medical evaluations. "The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured."
Severe Traffic Delays and Bridge Inspection Protocols
The crash caused immediate and extensive traffic gridlock across Rockland County as heavy tow trucks and specialized hazardous material teams worked to clear the overturned vehicle and spilled fuel. Traffic authorities from 511NY reported that the rollover blocked the right and center southbound travel lanes, bottlenecking thousands of drivers into a single lane approaching the Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge.
Structural engineers from the New York State Thruway Authority were dispatched to conduct an emergency safety assessment of the South Broadway Bridge overpass. Bridge strikes pose severe risks to highway infrastructure, frequently requiring ultrasonic testing and load-bearing analysis to determine if steel support girders have suffered internal fracturing.
As state troopers managed the expanding traffic backup, authorities issued travel advisories warning motorists of prolonged delays.
"Two lanes of I-87 southbound were closed to traffic in the area as the cleanup continued," state police officials reported during the traffic control response. "Drivers were cautioned to expect delays while the cleanup continued."
Bridge strikes along the Thruway corridor have drawn heightened scrutiny from transport officials in recent years. Commercial vehicles operating on the Interstate system are subject to strict maximum height regulations, typically capped at 13 feet, 6 inches, unless granted specific oversized-load permits with designated route clearance.
What's Next: Investigation and Bridge Safety Review
As law enforcement continues to review dashcam footage and commercial shipping logs, several key actions are underway:
- Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Investigation: State Police commercial vehicle inspection units are analyzing the truck’s cargo height, weight distribution, and permit documentation to determine whether mechanical failure or routing errors caused the strike.
- Structural Engineering Clearance: Thruway Authority engineers are inspecting the South Broadway Bridge deck and steel girders to evaluate whether temporary structural supports or lane restrictions on the overpass itself will be necessary.
- Traffic Flow Restoration: Highway maintenance crews expect all southbound lanes near Exit 10 to reopen once vehicle extrication, roadway sweeping, and preliminary bridge safety checks are fully completed.