Nine-vehicle accident closes Route 17A for hours

On Wednesday, March 11, at approximately 2:47 pm, the Town of Goshen Police were dispatched to a reported tractor-trailer rollover motor vehicle accident on Route 17A in the area of Jones Plumbing and Heating, just south of Pulaski Highway. Responding officers arrived and observed a tractor-trailer rolled over on its side, with the 64-year-old driver from Stormville, N.Y., still trapped upside down inside the cab. The driver was extricated by the Florida Fire Department and was transported to Garnet Medical Center, where it was determined he suffered several broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a fractured ankle.

A second vehicle, a 2015 Acura SUV, was located in the parking lot of Jones ’ with extensive damage to the driver’s side area. The 28-year-old male driver from Montgomery, his 26-year-old female front passenger, who is 38 weeks pregnant, and a 50-year-old female rear passenger were also extricated by the Florida Fire Department and transported to Garnet Medical. The male driver suffered a broken hip. The other passengers were treated for complaints of pain and minor abrasions. The unborn child was stated to be fine.

A third vehicle, a 2020 Mercedes-Benz, was located just south of the scene on Route 17A. The 59-year-old male driver and his 34-year-old female passenger from Warwick were traveling south when they were struck by the trailer just before it rolled onto its side. Both occupants were transported to St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, where they were treated for lacerations to the arms and face, as well as soreness in the back and chest.

The trailer was hauling wood waste and logs, which were spewed from the open top and landed in the Jones’ parking lot, severely damaging at least five parked, unoccupied vehicles belonging to the company and its employees.

Preliminary on-scene investigation established that the tractor-trailer was traveling north on Route 17A when it may have taken the sharp turn at an unsafe speed, causing the trailer to tilt and ultimately roll onto its side. The 2015 Acura was traveling south on Route 17A when the oncoming tractor-trailer rolled in front of it. The driver took evasive action to protect his pregnant passenger, taking the brunt of the impact.

The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.

The Town of Goshen police thanked the Florida Fire Department, Goshen EMS, Warwick EMS, Wallkill EMS, Deputy Commissioner of EMS Richard Wiley, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, NYS DOT, NYS ENCON for their swift response, professionalism and multi-agency cooperation t for helping to tame a chaotic scene. The department also thanked the staff at Jones’ Plumbing and Heating for their understanding and hospitality during the incident.

In a Facebook post, the department wrote:

“We thank all responding agencies for their coordinated efforts and the public for their patience while emergency crews worked to safely manage this serious incident,” The Town of Goshen police said.

In a subsequent post, the department praised the community’s response. They commended those on the scene who stopped to help, noting that when an accident happens it is ordinary citizens that are often the first on hand to help.

“In the middle of chaos and fear, the true character of the citizens in this community really showed. The citizens who stopped to help at the scene of the devastating multi-vehicle tractor-trailer rollover didn’t hesitate—they stepped forward with courage, compassion, and selflessness,” the department posted.

“Their quick actions and willingness to help strangers in their darkest moment reflect the very best of humanity. True heroes aren’t always in uniform—sometimes they’re the people who simply refuse to drive past when others need help,” the post continued.