LaFayette, NY (January 16, 2026) – A massive multi-vehicle accident involving over three dozen vehicles left seven people injured on Thursday afternoon on I-81 near Exit 73 in LaFayette, prompting a major emergency response and highway closure.
New York State Police and emergency crews rushed to the scene shortly after 2:20 p.m. following reports of a significant pileup. According to preliminary findings, approximately 37 vehicles were involved in the incident, including at least three tractor-trailers. Authorities believe weather conditions played a major role in the crash.
Out of the seven individuals injured, four were transported to a local hospital, while three others were taken to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. Two of the victims sustained serious injuries, though officials confirmed both are expected to survive.
Those involved but uninjured were transported to the LaFayette Fire Department via Centro bus, where they were offered shelter and support as investigations and road-clearing efforts continued. I-81 remained shut down for several hours due to the scale of the wreckage, but has since been fully reopened to traffic.
State Police are continuing their investigation into the chain-reaction crash, with weather and reduced visibility cited as likely contributing factors. Cleanup operations were extensive, given the number of vehicles and the involvement of commercial trucks.
Our thoughts are with the injured individuals, and we wish all those affected a safe and speedy recovery.
