At about 2 a.m., State Police began receiving reports of disabled vehicles along the Thruway sections of I-95, I-287, and I-87 north bound.
Motorists reported striking metal debris which was all over the road and continued for miles.
Police and tow trucks responded to over 10 damaged vehicles, but no injuries were reported.
Troopers carefully followed the trail of debris which led them directly to the driver and vehicle they say was responsible.
The preliminary investigation showed that John A. Robinson, 51, of Bridgeport, CT, was operating a yellow 1999 Kenworth dump truck, owned by Affordable Materials LLC out of Stamford, CT.
The vehicle was loaded with pieces of metal used in making transmission parts.
The truck was traveling on I-95 from Connecticut into New York when the rear gate opened and began spilling metal debris onto the road, police say.
The driver continued north on I-87 and on to Rt. 17 into New Jersey where he stopped on his own. It was there that New York State Police and Mahwah, New Jersey Police Department caught up with him.
Troopers charged Robinson with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 2nd Degree, due to having seven suspensions in New York on his Connecticut license. He was also charged with a log book violation, and failing to secure the cargo he was hauling, which are unclassified misdemeanors.
Emergency crews worked in the cleanup efforts of over 30 miles of roadway which included sections of I-95 in both Connecticut and NY, I-287, and I-87.
