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New dashcam footage released on March 17, 2025, captures the harrowing moment a lorry struck a low overpass in New York, causing the truck to tip over and slide along the highway.
The video, recorded by a vehicle traveling behind the lorry, shows a spray of debris as the truck’s cargo container collided with the overpass beam. The impact forced the truck to roll onto its side, skidding across the asphalt before the trailer slammed into a Toyota sedan parked on the right shoulder.
Emergency services responded quickly. The driver of the Toyota was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the New York State Police. The lorry driver, whose name has not been released, was unharmed. However, police issued a ticket for operating a vehicle that exceeded the maximum height limit for the route.
The incident occurred on Interstate 87 near the Thruway, a corridor known for frequent low-clearance collisions. According to the New York State Department of Transportation, there have been 14 over-height vehicle strikes in the area since 2020, with three involving serious injuries. Authorities are now reviewing signage and warning systems on the approach to the overpass, which has a clearance of 13 feet 6 inches—the standard for most highways but often missed by truck drivers relying on GPS not designed for commercial vehicles.
“This crash is a stark reminder that commercial drivers must verify their vehicle’s height before entering any route with low bridges,” said Captain Lisa Martinez of the New York State Police. “We are also urging trucking companies to invest in onboard height warning devices.”
The damaged lorry was removed from the scene by a heavy-duty tow truck, and the overpass was inspected for structural integrity. Engineers found no critical damage, and the highway reopened within four hours.
The Toyota, a 2021 model, was totaled. The owner, a nurse on her way to work, was released from the hospital later that day. “I’m grateful to be alive,” she told local news. “I saw the truck coming in my rearview mirror, but there was no time to move.”
Advocacy groups have called for better enforcement of height restrictions and the installation of “overheight vehicle detection systems” that alert drivers before they reach a low bridge. Similar systems have been deployed in other states, reducing such collisions by up to 70%.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, is being used by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in training materials for new commercial drivers. “Real-world footage like this is invaluable for education,” said an FMCSA spokesperson.
As of March 17, 2025, no further charges have been filed. The investigation is ongoing.
