Driving I-90 west usually feels like a marathon, not a sprint. But today, the rhythm of the road broke hard. If you've been stuck in that standstill near the New York and Pennsylvania line or caught in the mess out in South Dakota, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's been a rough 24 hours for the "90." Between massive vehicle fires in the Northeast and a tragic multi-car pileup in the Midwest, the map is bleeding red.
Honestly, the situation on I-90 West today is a tale of two very different, very dangerous regions. We’re looking at a combination of mechanical failures and "whiteout" weather that basically turned sections of the interstate into a parking lot.
The NYS Thruway Fire and Closures
Early this afternoon, things got ugly near Exit 32 on the New York State Thruway. Traffic was humming along until a vehicle fire on I-90 Westbound at Milepost 243.37 brought everything to a screeching halt. Emergency crews had to block the right lane, and as of late today, the "Estimated End Time" for that incident is still listed as "Until further notice." It’s one of those situations where the smoke clears, but the investigation and cleanup linger for hours.
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Further west in the Buffalo region, the road has been a nightmare. Just a few days ago, a massive winter storm dumped over 13 inches of snow, and the hangover from that weather is still causing headaches. We saw closures between Exit 57 in Hamburg and Exit 58, then another one at Exit 61 in Ripley. While some lanes have sputtered back to life, the New York State Thruway Authority is still flagging slow, stop-and-go conditions. If you're heading toward Pennsylvania, you're going to be riding the brake pedal.
Tragic Multi-Vehicle Pileup Near Reliance
While New York dealt with fire and ice, South Dakota saw something much more somber. The South Dakota Highway Patrol confirmed a fatal multi-vehicle crash on I-90 west of Reliance. It happened near mile marker 244. This wasn't just a fender bender. We’re talking about a Kenworth semi-truck, a Mercury Sable, two Ford F-150s, and a GMC Yukon.
The details are heartbreaking. A 28-year-old from Colome and a 27-year-old from Martin lost their lives when their Mercury Sable slammed into the back of the semi. The truck had slowed down because of a previous accident—a dangerous "chain reaction" that happens all too often in low visibility.
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Whiteout conditions were the main culprit here. When you can't see the tail lights in front of you, the interstate becomes a trap.
Why I-90 West is Struggling Today
- Residual Storm Impacts: In Western New York, the "lake effect" isn't just a weather term; it's a road hazard. Even after the plows go through, black ice remains a massive threat.
- The "Rubbernecking" Factor: In the South Dakota incident, the semi-truck had slowed for a different crash. This creates a secondary danger zone that often catches drivers off guard.
- Mechanical Failures: The fire at Exit 32 reminds us that winter driving is brutal on engines.
Real-Time Navigation and Survival
If you’re currently on I-90 West, or planning to be, don’t just trust your gut. Honestly, the "shortest route" on your GPS might lead you straight into a three-hour delay. In the Buffalo area, NITTECH is the gold standard for updates. In the Midwest, the South Dakota Department of Public Safety is the place to check.
The reality of an I-90 west accident today is that one mistake by one driver can ripple across three states. We see it every winter. The wind picks up, the visibility drops to zero, and suddenly, you’re part of a statistic. Experts from state patrols across the country emphasize one thing: "Space." If you think you have enough room between you and the car in front, double it. Then triple it.
Actionable Next Steps for Drivers
- Check the "Text View" Reports: Most state DOT sites have a "text-only" version of traffic events. These often update faster than the pretty maps.
- Monitor Mileposts: Don't just look for "accidents near Buffalo." Look for specific mile markers like MP 243 or MP 434 to know exactly when to bail for a side road.
- Prepare for the "Long Wait": If you are heading into the Reliance or Hamburg stretches, make sure you have a full tank of gas. Being stuck in a "closure until further notice" with an empty tank in 15-degree weather is a survival situation, not just an inconvenience.
- Avoid the "Pulse" Effect: When traffic starts moving again after a crash, don't floor it. These "pulses" of speed often lead to secondary accidents a few miles down the road.
Safety on the 90 isn't about being the fastest; it's about being the one who actually makes it to the destination. Stay off the phone, keep your eyes on the horizon, and give those plow drivers the room they need to work.