The State Police in Princetown are currently investigating a multi-vehicle fatal collision that occurred at approximately 10pm on Saturday in the westbound lanes of I-88 in the Town of Duanesburg.
A 1992 Toyota Celica driven by Rachel Rabbin, 22, of Altamont, became disabled and was parked partially in the right lane of I-88 because the shoulder was not wide enough to accommodate the vehicle. Ms. Rabbin had exited the vehicle and shortly thereafter a 2006 Nissan Sentra driven by Jeffrey Horowitz, 31, of Schenectady, struck the disabled vehicle, police said.
Ms. Rabbin was able to jump to safety and both vehicles were then subsequently struck by a 2002 Freightliner tractor driven by Mohammed Hasan, 50, of the Bronx. The tractor was hauling a 53 foot 2002 Utility Trailer loaded with paper. The tractor-trailer jackknifed and came to rest after striking a guide rail.
Responding State Police patrols initiated CPR upon Horowitz and utilized an AED. Mr. Horowitz was transported to Ellis Hospital by Duanesburg EMS where he was pronounced deceased.
Both Ms. Rabbin and Mr. Hasan were uninjured. There were substantial quantities of vehicle fluids left on the roadway which prompted a NYS DEC spill response. The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit responded to the scene as well. The westbound lanes of I-88 between exit 24 and 23 remained closed for approximately 14 hours for purposes of collision reconstruction and spill cleanup.
The investigation has determined that Hasan was in violation of several Transportation Laws regarding commercial vehicle equipment accountability and also failed to keep an accurate log book. He also provided a false deposition and was charged with making a false written statement, police said.
Mr. Hasan was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Duanesburg Court on June 28. The crash remains under investigation and any witnesses are asked to call the Princetown State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 630-1712.