Hazardous Winter Weather Leads To Massive 37 Vehicle Crash On I-81

Winter driving can be hazardous. Case in point, a multi-vehicle crash occurred on Interstate 81 on January 15, 2026, believed to be weather-related.

According to the report from the New York State Police, around 2:20 p.m. on Thursday, Troopers responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash on the southbound lanes of Interstate 81, just south of Exit 73 in the town of LaFayette.

The investigation determined that the crash involved approximately 18 vehicles, including three tractor-trailers, as well as several smaller crashes. The initial estimate of vehicles involved in the crash was 30, but this was later updated to a total of 37 vehicles.

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The New York State Police report notes that four patients were transported to Upstate Medical Hospital, three to Crouse Hospital, and one to Upstate Community Hospital. While two were serious injuries, the report indicated they were not life-threatening.

Those involved in the crash, but not injured, were transported to the LaFayette Fire Department by a CENTRO bus.

Interstate 81 southbound remained closed for clean-up, which took about two hours, according to the report. The New York State Police Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit assisted with the investigation.

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