SUV swerves to avoid stopped cars on I-81 in CNY, crashes into vehicle in other lane, killing driver

Cortland County NY crash

Two vehicles were driven off of Interstate 81 in Cortland County on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, after one of them swerved into an opposite lane to avoid stopped traffic. New York State Police

Marathon, N.Y. — An SUV that swerved to avoid stopped traffic on Interstate 81 in Cortland County Thursday crashed into another vehicle, killing its driver, state troopers said.

The Honda SUV, driven by Md Sanzid Bin Rashid, 26, of the Bronx, crashed around 1:10 p.m. just past the I-81 exit to Marathon, troopers said in a news release.

Rashid was driving north when he met cars that were stopped due to construction on the highway, police said. He swerved to the left lane to avoid them.

He crashed into a Toyota vehicle, sending both vehicles off the highway, police said.

The Toyota’s 71-year-old driver was killed, police said. A 70-year-old passenger was taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police did not identify the driver, who is from New Jersey.

Rashid was treated at the scene of the crash.

Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him at falba@syracuse.com.

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