Names Released*** State Police are investigating a fatal crash on I-90 in the city of Albany.

21 October 2021
NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Carla A. DiRienzo
Troop T Commander
PRESS RELEASE

***UPDATE: NAMES RELEASED***

Albany, NY – The Thruway was shut down for approximately 5 hours for all westbound traffic while State Police investigated a deadly crash that occurred on I-90, near mile marker 149.8.

Troopers determined that a 2021 Freightliner Tractor Trailer (Werner Enterprises) was traveling eastbound when the driver, Jesula Estivente, 28, of Uniondale, NY, attempted to change lanes. As the truck moved from the center lane to the left lane, it crossed the rumble strips and Estivente overcorrected, causing the vehicle to lose control. The tractor trailer drove through the median and center guiderail, entered the westbound travel lanes, and struck a 2019 Toyota Rav4 head on. The tractor trailer came to rest after it jackknifed and struck an embankment on the north shoulder.

The driver and sole occupant of the Toyota, Bernice A. Rostocki, 58, of Latham, NY, suffered fatal injuries. She was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Albany County Coroner and removed to Ellis hospital pending an autopsy.

Estivente was transported to Albany Medical Center where she was evaluated by a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) and later released.

A passenger of the tractor trailer, Albert P. Kastner, 50, of Chatham, NY, was also transported to Albany Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

State Police were assisted on scene by Troop G CRU (Collision Reconstruction Unit), Troop T BCI and CVEU (Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit), Troop G BCI and Victim Advocate, Albany Fire Department and Rescue, as well as Thruway Traffic Safety and Maintenance.

All westbound traffic was diverted off at exit 24 (Albany) and the eastbound left lane was closed until accident reconstruction was completed. All lanes were reopened by 3:30 p.m.

The accident investigation is still pending at this time.

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Albany, NY – On October 21, 2021, at approximately 10:00 a.m., State Police were dispatched to a serious personal injury crash which occurred on I-90 westbound between exit 24 (Albany) and exit 25 (Schenectady).

A preliminary investigation at the scene revealed that a tractor trailer traveling eastbound, for reasons still under investigation, lost control and traveled through the median and guiderail. The tractor trailer then struck a passenger vehicle, which was traveling westbound, head on.

The driver of the passenger vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver and passenger of the tractor trailer were transported to Albany Medical Center for minor injuries.

Accident reconstruction has been completed at the scene. All westbound traffic is currently being diverted at exit 24 (Albany) while vehicle recovery is being conducted. The crash remains under investigation. More information will be released at a later time.

Author: Harlem Valley News