Wrong-Way Tragedy on I-87: Brian Tortora Killed After Crashing Into Two Trucks in Early Morning Rockland County Collision
ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — June 22, 2025 — A devastating wrong-way crash claimed the life of a driver early Saturday morning on Interstate 87, leaving behind a scene of mangled wreckage and grief in Rockland County. New York State Police have confirmed that the deceased driver, identified as Brian Tortora, was traveling in the wrong direction when he struck two large trucks in a violent series of collisions that shut down the busy thruway for hours.
The incident occurred around 3:00 a.m. near Exit 12, a heavily trafficked area on I-87, just south of the Tappan Zee Bridge. According to investigators, Tortora was driving northbound in the southbound lanes, a critical and fatal error that had catastrophic consequences. His vehicle first slammed into a towing truck, causing a chain reaction that led to a second collision with a tractor-trailer.
The impact was so intense that both trucks were also pushed into each other, resulting in extensive damage to the vehicles and complete shutdown of the southbound lanes.
Emergency crews from multiple jurisdictions responded swiftly to the crash site. Despite efforts to render aid, Tortora was pronounced dead at the scene, his car crushed beyond recognition. The driver of the towing truck sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The second truck driver miraculously escaped injury, according to police.
For hours after the crash, the southbound side of the New York State Thruway remained closed, forcing traffic to be diverted and causing major delays for early morning travelers. State troopers, crash reconstruction experts, and cleanup crews worked diligently through the night and morning to investigate the incident and clear the roadway. The highway has since been reopened.
Nyack Mayor Joseph Rand, who represents the nearby village deeply impacted by thruway traffic, posted a photo of the aftermath to his official Facebook page, calling the crash “heartbreaking” and extending condolences to Tortora’s family and all affected by the tragedy.
“This is a grim reminder of the dangers that can unfold in an instant on our highways,” Mayor Rand wrote. “Please, for your sake and the sake of others, drive with vigilance and caution—especially in the dark hours of the morning.”
Authorities have not yet announced what may have caused Tortora to drive the wrong way. The investigation remains ongoing, and police have not ruled out the possibility of impairment, fatigue, or a medical episode. Toxicology reports are pending.
Wrong-way crashes, while not frequent, tend to be especially deadly due to the high speeds and lack of time to react. National data shows that such incidents often involve impaired or confused drivers, particularly during overnight hours.
The community of Rockland County is now left grappling with the aftermath of this sudden tragedy. Friends, family, and motorists alike are mourning the loss of Brian Tortora, while questions remain about how the crash occurred and how future wrong-way tragedies can be prevented.