Truck Strikes Trooper & Tow Truck Driver in Upstate New York

A New York State Trooper and a tow truck driver who were working on the side of a New York highway were struck by a passing pick-up truck.

According to the New York State Police, the accident happened on Friday November 2nd sending both the NYS Trooper and the tow truck operator to the hospital with severe injuries.

What Happened

It all started at approximately 12:28 p.m. Friday after a New York State Trooper stopped a vehicle on the southbound side of I-87 (Northway) just before the exit 6-7 off-ramp in Colonie, New York for a traffic violation. During that stop the Trooper needed to call for a tow truck to have the vehicle towed due to a vehicle and traffic law violation. A few minutes after the tow truck arrived the operator began to load the vehicle onto the tow truck to take it away and that's when things went horribly wrong.

Truck Strikes Trooper & Tow Truck Driver

While the truck driver and trooper were standing outside of their vehicles a pick-up truck that was driving on the southbound side of the Northway struck both of them. Both the tow truck operator and the Trooper sustained severe injuries and were transported to Albany Medical Center to receive treatment. Thankfully, the trooper remains in stable condition at Albany Medical Center, while the tow truck driver has been discharged and is healing at home.

Pick Up Driver Arrested

The police investigation identified the pick-up truck driver as 40-year-old Jason J. Guerin, of Malta, NY. Guerin, who stopped and stayed at the scene of the accident was taken into custody and was charged with two felonies including Aggravated Vehicular Assault in the first degree, Assault in the second degree, as well as Driving While Ability Impaired by drugs and numerous other vehicle and traffic law violations.

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Police said that Guerin has had a previous DWI conviction in the last ten years.

Sent to Jail Without Bail

Following the incident, Guerin was taken to the Latham State Police barracks for processing where he was evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), and samples were taken to determine the drug content of his blood. He was arraigned at the Colonie Town Court and remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.