Arrest made in fatal Thruway crash Tuesday night
ROTTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- On Tuesday, State Police responded to reports of a commercial truck crash on the Thruway. Police said one driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while another, Manuel Aristyarias, 59, of Passaic, NJ., was arrested.
Around 10:14 p.m., Troopers responded to a two commercial truck crash, just west of exit 25A on the Thruway. An initial investigation determined both tractor-trailers were traveling westbound when one, being driven by a driver from Canada, crashed into the rear of the other.
The Canadian driver was pronounced dead at the scene and Aristyarias was transported to the State Police barracks in Latham for further investigation, where he had undergone a drug recognition expert (DRE) evaluation. The test resulted in Aristyarias being charged for driving while ability impaired by drugs.
The Thruway was closed between exits 25 and 26 until around 5:45 a.m. on November 6. Police say the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
Aristyarias was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Rotterdam Town Court on Dec. 2 and released. Police say the name of the other driver will not be released until family are notified.