'Reckless and ignorant' truck driver charged after hitting over a dozen overpasses on the New York State Thruway, troopers say

UNITED STATES, March 23 — Charges have been filed against a truck driver for striking multiple overpasses along the New York State Thruway, according to New York State Police (NYSP). Shortly before 2 p.m. on March 18, 2026, troopers responded to a New York Thruway Authority report of overpass strikes caused by a commercial truck hauling an over-height excavator on a flatbed trailer while driving west between Exits 30 and 36. Troopers located the suspect vehicle and performed a traffic stop on the 2019 Freightliner in the town of Salina. The truck driver was identified as Oleksander Tarakanovskyi, 38, of North Carolina.

NYSP investigators determined that the over-height load had struck more than a dozen overpasses along a sixty mile stretch of the New York State Thruway.

NYSP No injuries were reported. Troopers say that the overpasses sustained mild to moderate damage and that crews are inspecting for structural damage. Tarakanovskyi was charged with reckless endangerment in the 2nd degree and issued more than 20 tickets, including citations for violating federal commercial motor vehicle safety regulations, NYSP said in a news release.

“Reckless and ignorant driver behavior has serious consequences. How a tractor trailer driver could be unaware that his load hit more than a dozen bridges is beyond comprehension. We appreciate the support of our partners at State Police Troop T and the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit in tracking down the vehicle and taking it off the road. Our team of inspectors has examined all of the impacted bridges and while all continue to be safe, we will proceed with repairs as needed. While bridge hits plague states across the nation, we are committed to holding irresponsible drivers accountable, said Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare.

The women and men of Troop T dedicate themselves each day to enforcing the law and making the Thruway one of the safest highways in the nation. Reckless, egregious behavior will not be tolerated. I commend our uniform troopers and members of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit for their swift actions in removing this hazard from the road, preventing potential injury to other motorists. We thank the Thruway Authority for its continued partnership, said New York State Police Troop T Commander Major Brian T. Ferrone