Highway/Hazardous Materials Accident Summary Report
Collision of Tractor/Cargo Tank
Semitrailer and Passenger Vehicle and
Subsequent Fire, Yonkers, New York,
October 9, 1997

NTSB Number HAR-98/02/SUM
NTIS Number PB98-916202
PDF Document (1.54M)

Abstract: On October 9, 1997, about 12:10 a.m., a truck tractor pulling a cargo tank semitrailer was going under an overpass of the New York State Thruway when it was struck by a sedan. The car hit the right side of the cargo tank in the area of the tank's external loading/unloading lines, releasing the gasoline they contained. The ensuing fire destroyed both vehicles and the overpass; the thruway remained closed for approximately 6 months. The driver of the car was killed; the driver of the truck was not injured. Property damage was estimated at $7 million.

The safety issue discussed in this report is the danger of operating a truck when its cargo tank's loading lines are carrying hazardous materials.

As a result of its investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a safety recommendation to the Secretary of Transportation.