UPDATE: Three injured in Thruway accidents
BETHLEHEM -- Three people were injured in two related accidents involving tractor trailers on the Thruway Tuesday morning, according to state police.
The first happened at about 1:20 a.m.
Investigators said Michael Putnam, 45, of Gloversville, had fallen asleep at the wheel, hit another tractor trailer and drove into the median guiderail ending up across both northbound lanes.
Putnam was extricated and taken to Albany Medical Center for facial injuries.
Just before 2 a.m. police said another tractor trailer stuck in traffic was rear-ended by a driver who had fallen asleep.
Both the driver of that vehicle, 41-year-old Sean Abernathy, and passenger, 39-year-old Jeanne Abernathy, both of Hagaman, had to be extricated and were taken to Albany Medical Center for facial and leg injuries.
Sean Abernathy was ticketed for failing to slow for the stopped traffic.
Two separate accidents happened on the Thruway early Tuesday morning.
Both involved a tractor trailer, according to an update from state police, but it is unclear if the same tractor trailer was involved in both.
Check back for updates.
An early morning crash on the Thruway sent one person to the hospital, according to state police.
A tractor-trailer hit a guardrail at about 2 a.m. and a car then hit the truck.
It happened between exits 22 and 23 on the northbound side.
One person was taken to Albany Medical Center. The extent of injuries are unknown.
The highway has since been cleared of debris.





