HANOVER, NEW YORK — A Tennessee truck driver died after a fender and mudflap sheared off a westbound tractor-trailer on I-90, went airborne across the center median, and struck him through his windshield as he traveled eastbound — an investigation that took days to piece together and revealed a deadly hazard from an unsecured truck part.
Petros Liben, 54, of Bartlett, Tennessee, was found in the median guardrail in the eastbound lanes near milepost 457.8 at approximately 8:45 p.m. Monday. Bay Creek Fire District first responders arrived to find Liben with significant chest trauma and facial and abdominal injuries. He was extricated by Rescue and Engine crews working alongside medics, with the helicopter from Stat Medivac landing in the eastbound lanes near the scene due to the severity of his injuries. Liben was flown to ECMC where he later died from his injuries.
New York State Police from the SP Buffalo barracks responded and launched a multi-unit investigation including the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, Collision Reconstruction Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the State DEC Spill Response Unit. On Wednesday, investigators announced their findings — a fender and mudflap shaft had sheared off a westbound tractor-trailer, crossed the median, and struck Liben directly through his windshield.
Bay Creek crews were on scene for nearly three hours.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” Bay Creek Fire District said.
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