A State Trooper’s vehicle sustained major damage and the officer was hospitalized following an accident that took place on Interstate 87 just south of Exit 2 in Colonie the evening of Monday, June 13.
According to Trooper Maureen Tuffy, Troop G’s public information officer, the officer’s car had previously had its emergency lights on when assisting a disabled vehicle. The officer then turned the lights off to get back onto the road when he was struck by a 75-year-old man driving a SUV with a U-Haul attached.
The man, a resident of the Capital District, was heading southbound on I-87 where he was moving some materials to a house he owns in Florida. Tuffy said both the SUV and the U-Haul were loaded down, and the man began to lose control of the U-Haul. When he tried to pull over to the side of the road, he was too distracted to notice the cruiser was pulling out onto the highway. The cars went down into an embankment where the cruiser went end-over-end and landed on its roof.
Both the officer and the man were taken to Albany Medical Hospital where the officer was released with a concussion. The other driver is still being treated for chest pain and lacerations.
The accident occurred around 6:20 p.m., where there was some heavy traffic. Tuffy said speed is not being considered a contributing factor for the incident and that police are still investigating. No charges have been filed.
Check back for more updated information on this incident.“
