A motorist was killed Sunday when metal beams carried in a tractor trailer he was operating penetrated the tractor’s cab as he attempted to avoid colliding with a bridge near I.U. Willets Road, state police said.
Police identified the motorist Tuesday as Javier Tapia, 53, of McAllen Texas, who they said mistakenly tried to transfer onto the Northern State Parkway from the Long Island Expressway.
The tractor trailer, a 2007 Freightliner fladbed, did not strike the bridge, police said.
Tapia was traveling eastbound when the accident occurred around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, police said.
Police said Tapia was working for the Palos Hills, Ill.-based AAA Freight Incorporated and allegedly traveling toward Oyster Bay.
Nassau County Police temporarily closed the eastbound side of the Northern State Parkway on Sunday from Exit 28 at Willis Avenue to Exit 31 at Glen Cove Road and eastbound at Exit 38 to the Meadhowbrook Parkway in wake of the accident.
