GUILDERLAND, N.Y. — Two people were killed and four others were injured Wednesday when an Amazon Prime tractor-trailer struck five cars on the New York State Thruway, authorities said.
The crash, which occurred in the eastbound lanes of the highway between Albany and Schenectady just before 8 a.m. EDT, killed Brian M. Harper, 33, of Rotterdam, the Times-Union of Albany reported.
Harper was driving a 2014 BMW when his vehicle was struck by a 2012 Freightliner truck driven by Larousse Desrosiers, 53, of Boston, according to the newspaper.
🚨 LATEST THRUWAY CRASH: Heartbreaking update from NYS Police: Two fatalities on scene and multiple injuries confirmed. A preliminary investigation has determined one tractor trailer and 5 passenger vehicles were involved in the crash. Cause of crash remains under investigation. pic.twitter.com/N59hM5KSqd
— Stephanie Rivas (@StephRivasTV) April 6, 2022
Officials with the New York State Police said Desrosiers was driving the Amazon Prime tractor-trailer when traffic slowed due to congestion, WRGB-TV reported. He was unable to slow down and subsequently hit five vehicles, the television station reported.
Harper was pronounced dead at the scene, the Times-Union reported.
UPDATE - ALL LANES ARE OPEN: All lanes on I-90 east and west between exit 25 and 24 are now open. https://t.co/C1MNDETHDy
— NYS Thruway Authority (@NYSThruway) April 6, 2022
The tractor-trailer came to rest after crashing into a 2016 Volkswagen, causing both vehicles to catch fire, State Police officials said.
The driver of the Volkswagen was pronounced dead at the scene. That person’s name is being withheld until next of kin have been notified, the Times-Union reported.
The crash claimed the life of 33-year-old Brian M. Harper, of Rotterdam, NY, who was operating a 2014 BMW. The name of the other driver killed is being withheld until their family is notified. https://t.co/gRgqWdK8um
— CBS 6 Albany - WRGB (@CBS6Albany) April 6, 2022
Desrosiers was not injured and was transported to an area hospital, WTEN-TV reported. Impairment does not appear to be a contributing factor, authorities told the television station.
Injured in the pileup was James G. Fox, 50, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, the Times-Union reported. He was listed in critical condition. A passenger in Fox’s 2017 Audi, Anthony W. Squillo, of Greenville, New York, suffered injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
Samantha E. Bonanno, 35, of Amsterdam, and Amanda J. Clark, 34, of Schenectady, both suffered injuries considered not to be life-threatening, the newspaper reported. Bonnano was driving a Ford Escape and Clark was driving a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder, according to the Times-Union.
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