Twin Tiers Emergency Crews Busy with Numerous Crashes

The early season snow and cold is keeping police, fire and medical crews very busy with numerous crashes throughout the Southern Tier and Central New York.

Rain changing to snow and falling temperatures early November 12 is blamed for icy conditions that sent dozens of cars skidding off roadways including Route 12 at Kattelville where several cars crashed, shutting down north and south bound traffic for several minutes.  Problems were also reported on Interstates 88 and 81 at Belden Hill, the rock-cut between Whitney Point and Castle Creek and in the Prospect Mountain construction zone.

Cortland County Sheriff's officials were called to Interstate 81 South 1/4 mile south of Exit 13 in the Town of Preble at 1:36 a.m. for a crash involving a transport bus that was headed to New York City.

45-year-old Yong Zhen was driving the 2007 bus when he lost control on the snowy highway.  The vehicle left the road and turned over on its side in the median.

There were 7 passengers on the S&F Travel Incorporated bus out of Quincy, Massachusetts.

There were no injuries.

Authorities began removing the vehicle from the median about 7 hours after the crash.

Zhen was ticketed for speed not reasonable and prudent for conditions.