Albany man charged in fatal Thruway crash in Canajoharie
12
CANAJOHARIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — An Albany man has been arrested in connection with a fatal crash on the Thruway in Canajoharie, New York State Police announced on Friday. Jose M. Prieto Cole, 24, is facing several charges.
An investigation into the crash found that David Bonaparte, 61, of Rome had stopped on the northern shoulder of I-90 westbound in Canajoharie on Saturday. When Bonaparte got out of his vehicle, police said he was struck by another vehicle.
Bonaparte was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said Prieto Cole stopped immediately, contacted emergency services, and was cooperative in the investigation.
On Friday, police said that Bonaparte’s vehicle had been experiencing a mechanical brake issue, leading him to stop on the shoulder of the roadway. Prieto Cole was allegedly distracted and using a cell phone at the time of the crash, police said. During the investigation, police said Prieto Cole provided a written deposition that falsely represented his actions just before and at the time of the crash.
Prieto Cole was arrested and processed on Thursday, officials said. He faces multiple charges:
- Criminally negligent homicide
- Second-degree offering a false instrument
- Numerous vehicle and traffic law violations
Prieto Cole was arraigned at the Root Town Court and remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash, $100,000 bond and $100,000 partially secured bond.