LAFAYETTE, NEW YORK — A massive snowstorm pileup involving 37 vehicles — including three tractor-trailers — snarled Interstate 81 near Exit 73 in LaFayette Thursday afternoon, sending seven people to hospitals and forcing uninjured motorists to be transported from the scene, state police said.

Frey, 39, of Tully, said the vehicle he was riding in had come to a stop in the storm before being hit from behind, triggering a spin as more vehicles collided nearby.

“All of a sudden,” Frey said, “onlookers screamed at us to get out of the car,” warning that a tractor-trailer was coming fast toward the pileup.

Frey said he was riding with his friend Ben Stone, who has limited mobility after suffering brain damage in a severe tractor-trailer crash in 2024. They were returning from a doctor’s visit to treat Stone’s injuries, and Frey said he immediately knew Stone wouldn’t be able to get out quickly.

In the chaos, Frey said he watched a tractor-trailer driver steer off the highway and into the median rather than plow into the stopped vehicles.

“That driver was a hero,” Frey said. “He knew he wasn’t going to be able to slow down. He saved who knows how many people.”

State police said the crash happened around 2:20 p.m. near Exit 73 and ultimately involved 37 vehicles. Authorities said four people were taken to Crouse Hospital and three to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. Troopers said two people sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Frey said he likely suffered a concussion, but Stone did not sustain significant injuries in the pileup. He said he believes their vehicle will be totaled due to the damage.

Frey, Stone and dozens of others were taken by Centro bus to the LaFayette Fire Department, and a trooper later drove Frey and Stone home, he said.

“We’re lucky we made it,” Frey said. “But imagine being in Ben’s shoes. I can’t imagine being through this twice.”

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