Tractor Trailer Carrying Cooking Oil and Pesticide Crashes

New York State Police are continuing to investigate the rollover crash of a tractor trailer carrying an odd mix of cargo on Interstate 81 in Cortland County June 15.

State Police say their Troopers were called shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 15 to a report of a rollover crash on I81 in the northbound lanes. Troopers say they found a large rig on its side blocking the highway.

New York State Police photo

Authorities say the driver of the rig that crashed between Exit 10 (McGraw) and Exit 11 (Cortland )is being charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

The driver has been identified as 47-year-old Alexandr Gorski of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Troopers say he was released to a sober third party and ordered to appear in Cortland City Court in July.

Photos from the scene show a large, white trailer with no markings on the side. The top had been ripped off in the crash and at least a half-dozen large, white, wrapped cargo units are seen. State Police say the cargo was a shipment of pesticides and cooking oil. The tractor trailer was completely across both northbound lanes just past a river bridge. and right-hand lane between exit 10 and 11 remained closed through Thursday morning.

New York State Police photo

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's spill response team was called to the scene as fluids were leaking from the crash.

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There apparently were no other vehicles beside the tractor trailer involved in the crash.

Troopers, Cortland County Sheriff’s, Cortland City Police, Department of Environmental Conservation, State Fire, Spill Response, County HazMat, Cortland City Fire, Cortlandville Fire and Department of Transportation all responded to the scene at the time of the incident on Wednesday night.