TZB crash: Driver ticketed for suspended license

The driver whose truck rolled over on the Tappan Zee Bridge Friday, closing the northbound lanes for hours, was ticketed for having a suspended license, police said.

Authorities believe a mechanical failure toppled the 2016 Freightliner tractor-trailer shortly before 9 a.m., though the exact cause is unknown, said Trooper David Howard, a state police spokesman. Police said Friday that the crash appeared to have been the result of the truck's suspension system breaking.

Scrap metal debris flew into traffic, hitting one northbound car and three oncoming cars on the southbound side, and the concrete barrier was pushed into another southbound car. No one was injured in the wreck.

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The tractor-trailer belonged to Kelman Transport LLC of Cohoes, New York, Howard said. Its 61-year-old driver, a resident of Troy, was ticketed for driving with a suspended license. Police did not release his name.

Kelman Transport did not return a phone message seeking comment.

The crash closed the Rockland-bound side of the span for more than four hours, backing up westbound traffic on Interstate 287 more than six miles in Westchester County.

Southbound traffic was also jammed, with one lane closed on that side for a few hours as crews cleaned up debris.

Among the stranded drivers was a Rockland man taking his wife - who was in labor - to the hospital. She had to be rescued from the traffic jam by state police.

Twitter: @MattSpillane