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A partial fender or mudflap shaft that came dislodged from another vehicle contributed to a Thruway fatality on Monday, New York State Police reported on Wednesday.
The commercial vehicle collision on the eastbound lanes in the town of Hanover took place around 10:05 p.m. when the 53-foot trailer exited the road on the north shoulder striking a guide rail. The operator, Petros D. Liben, 54 of Bartlett, Tenn., had injuries to his face and abdomen. He was airlifted to Erie County Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
An investigation revealed a fender or mudflap sheared off a 32-foot trailer hauled by a 2019 Dodge Ram traveling westbound on the Interstate 90. The partial fender or mudflap shaft became airborne and crossed the center median directly into the path of the trailer’s windshield and struck the operator Liben, leading to the collision.
State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, Collision Reconstruction Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation and DEC Spill Response Unit responded to the scene.