Impaired Driver Charged After Fatal Capital Region Crash, Police Say

A tractor-trailer driver was killed in the Capital Region after crashing into the back of another truck in which the driver was charged with DWI/ impaired by drugs.

A tractor-trailer driver was killed after crashing into the back of another truck.
Photo Credit: *Unsplash/Andrea Ferrario*

Kathy Reakes

11/07/2024 10:40 a.m.

The crash occurred in Schenectady County at 10:15 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, on I-90 in Rotterdam.

According to Trooper Stephanie O'Neil, an investigation determined that both tractor-trailers were traveling westbound when one vehicle, operated by a Canadian driver, crashed into the rear of the other.

The Canadian driver was declared dead at the scene, O'Neil said. The other vehicle's driver has been identified as Manuel E. Aristyarias, age 59, of Passaic, New Jersey.

Aristyarias cooperated with the investigation, and following a drug recognition expert evaluation, a sample was collected from Aristyarias to determine the drug content of his blood.

He was arrested and processed for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Aristyarias was issued an appearance ticket and released.

I-90 westbound was closed between exits 25 and 26 until approximately 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, for the investigation and vehicle removal.

The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

The name of the deceased will not be released until family notifications are made.

This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

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