Orange County resident Sama Exantus, age 25, of Monroe, was driving a 1997 Ford Escort southbound on I-87 around 6:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23 in Woodbury.
According to Trooper Tara McCormick of the New York State Police, Exantus's vehicle pulled onto the shoulder just after passing Exit 16.
Exantus then attempted to re-enter the roadway and when pulling into the driving lane, he failed to yield the right of way to a Penske tractor trailer which was traveling southbound in the driving lane.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, Orange County resident John T. Abernathy, age 59, of Pine Bush, was unable to stop or avoid striking the Ford in the rear, McCormick said.
Exantus suffered fatal injuries as a result of the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was transported to the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office pending an autopsy.
Abernathy was not injured in the crash.
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