A Richmondville man was killed in a horrific accident in Rotterdam early Sunday morning after a 21-mile high-speed chase by the State Police that began in Schoharie.
Emmanuel C. Humphreys, 36, of Richmondville was killed after he apparently intentionally veered his 2010 Honda into the path of a dump truck full of snow on Route 7 in Rotterdam just after midnight Sunday, according to the State Police.
After striking the dump truck, the Honda then deflected back into the eastbound lane of Route 7 and was struck by a State Trooper car, police added. The Honda was split in two and one portion traveled back into the westbound lane where it collided with a passing vehicle.
The incident began at around 10:55pm on Saturday, when Mr. Humphreys, the father of four children at Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School, physically assaulted his girlfriend in Richmondville, police said.
Police said they received a report of a domestic incident on Leland Lane in Richmondville. Mr. Humphreys fled the scene before troopers arrived. A responding trooper interviewed the victim and broadcasted relevant information for other patrols in the area.
A nearby trooper spotted the Honda and conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of routes 7 and 30A in Central Bridge. Trooper Joshua Udell also responded to the scene.
As the first trooper was in radio contact to determine potential charges, Trooper Udell approached Mr. Humphreys and began to interview him, according to police. During the interview, Mr. Humphreys accelerated his vehicle to flee the scene, running over the trooper's right foot, causing a minor injury.
Both troopers began a pursuit of Mr. Humphreys and were eventually joined by a third trooper and two Sheriff's deputies.
During the 15-minute pursuit, which reached speeds of 80 miles per hour, Mr. Humphreys made cell phone contact with his girlfriend, the victim, and informed her that he was looking for a large vehicle to strike in order to end his own life, police said.
The conversation was heard at the scene of the domestic incident by a Trooper who had responded to interview the victim, police added. That Trooper informed dispatch, allowing police involved in the pursuit to be aware of Mr. Humphrey's intentions.
Several attempts were made to stop Mr. Humphreys with spike strips and boxing his vehicle in with police vehicles, but all were unsuccessful, according to police.
While traveling east on Route 7, Mr. Humphreys abruptly veered his vehicle into the dump truck near Burdeck Street, police said. The Honda then hit Trooper Jason Cintula's car, split in two and struck a 2001 Toyota Rav 4.
Neither the operator of the dump truck or the Toyota were injured. Trooper Cintula sustained back and chest contusions while Trooper Udell suffered a contusion to his right foot, according to police. Both were treated at Ellis Hospital and released.
An autopsy was scheduled for Monday to determine the cause of death for Mr. Humphreys.
The incident is still under investigation by various members and units of the State Police and at this time, Captain Robert Patnaude, acting Troop G Commander, feels that all of the police personnel involved acted accordingly in their attempt to prevent Mr. Humphreys from taking his own life or the lives of others.
Bereavement counselors and support personnel were available at Cobleskill-Richmondville schools, according to Bill DeVoe, the C-R communications specialist.