NEW BALTIMORE – Two occupants of a minivan that was following an oversized flatbed tractor-trailer on the Thruway as its escort vehicle in the early evening of December 28 were seriously injured when their vehicle was struck from behind by a minivan.
State Police said the tractor-trailer was hauling 197,000 pounds of crane equipment when it became disabled partially in the right lane between exit 21B (Coxsackie) and 21A (Berkshire Spur).
The escort vehicle was positioned behind the flatbed with lights activated to warn approaching traffic of the hazard.
The minivan traveling southbound, struck the SUV from behind, pinning it between the guardrail and the tractor-trailer.
Two occupants of the SUV became entrapped and were transported to Albany Medical Center with serious injuries. They were identified as the driver, Randal Tillburg, 70, of Canandaigua, and passenger Diane Morgan, 68, of Victor.
The drivers of the tractor-trailer, Franz Dyck, 31, of St. Catherines, Ontario, and minivan, Chaim Rosenberg, 34, of Monsey, were not injured.
The investigation is continuing.
