News

One killed in motorcycle crash on I-81 in Cortland

One killed in motorcycle crash on I-81 in Cortland

Photo: Saga Communications/607 News Now


UPDATE: The drive has been identified as Christopher Messerlie of Watertown.

CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) — A deadly crash in Cortland is under investigation.

According to a news release from the New York State Police, a 26-year-old man riding a motorcycle was fatally injured Saturday, June 13 around 10:20 a.m. about half a mile south of the Cortland exit of I-81.

Investigators say the unidentified victim “was traveling south on 81 when he exited the roadway and struck a guide rail.” He was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said.

Troopers responding to a crash on I-81 in Cortland. (Photo provided.)

The investigation resulted in the temporary closure of both lanes on I-81 south, resulting in “an almost two mile back up at times as motorists were diverted off at exit 52.”

All lanes are now re-open.

Recent Headlines

1 day ago in Sports, Trending

New Yorkers are set to fete the Knicks with a ticker-tape parade

New York is celebrating the Knicks in classic style Thursday, throwing a ticker-tape parade for the team that brought home the NBA championship longed for by generations of fans.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Lil Nas X shares a video update after getting mental health care: ‘There’s less fear in my heart’

The musician Lil Nas X posted a moving video update to his Instagram on Wednesday morning. In the nearly three-minute clip, the artist — born Montero Lamar Hill — shared that he "has been in rehab for a few months," and since then, has returned home to both Atlanta, where he is from and his family lives, and Los Angeles, where he resides.

3 days ago in National, Trending

Rain along the Gulf Coast could become the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season

A cluster of storms along the Gulf Coast could become the first named tropical storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center said.

3 days ago in Sports, Trending

France striker Kylian Mbappé scores his 13th World Cup goal, breaking a tie with Pelé

Kylian Mbappé scored his 13th World Cup goal on Tuesday, one more than Pelé, to move the France forward into a tie for the fourth most in tournament history.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Tom Holland appears to confirm he and Zendaya are married

Tom Holland has apparently confirmed that he and his longtime love Zendaya have already tied the knot. The actor may have ended months of speculation triggered by Zendaya's stylist Law Roach's claim in March that the couple had already held a wedding.