*EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated to include the name of the deceased driver.
The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal tractor trailer crash in the city of Rome, according to a statement from the office.
Around 8:45 a.n. on Oct. 3, a call was made to the Oneida County Emergency Services 911 Center for a reported roll over tractor trailer accident on the exit ramp to Martin Street.
Road Patrol Deputies responded to the scene along with emergency medical personnel from Rome Fired Department and AmCare Ambulance. Upon arrival on scene it was determined by medical personnel that the driver was deceased.
Due to the motor vehicle accident being fatal the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit and Forensic Unit responded to the scene as well.
An initial investigation shows that the tractor trailer, which belonged to “Real Deal Landscaping”, out of Cold Brook, was being operated westerly on State Route 49 prior to taking the off ramp to Martin Street, in the city of Rome, troopers said.
While navigating the exit ramp to Martin Street the driver lost control of the tractor trailer, which was a dump style trailer loaded with stone type material, and began to drift off of the western side of the exit ramp roadway.
The tractor trailer then made contact with the guide rail in the area of a bridge that crosses a small creek before rolling over the guide rail and coming to rest with the tractor of the cab being upside down.
On Oct. 6, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office listed the deceased driver as Michael Lucas, 39, of Turin.
Per the New York State Department of Transportation, the exit ramp will remain closed for some time so that the structural integrity of the bridge that is a part of the exit ramp can be inspected further for future traffic safety.
The Sheriff’s Office was also assisted on scene by the New York State Police, New York State Police Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit, New York State DEC, New York State Department of Transportaion, Rome Fire Department, AmCare Ambulance, Mikes Towing & Auto Repair, and the Onondaga County Medical Examiners Office.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Fatal tractor trailer crash in Rome under investigation
Reporting by Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
