ALBANY, NY — A wrong-way driver involved in a fatal head-on collision on Interstate 787 was arraigned on multiple charges during a bedside hearing at Albany Medical Center Hospital on Oct. 16.
Lewis Thomas, 44, of Coxsackie, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and second-degree vehicular manslaughter.
Thomas was remanded without bail and remains hospitalized in stable condition.
His custody was transferred from State Police to the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and he will be moved to the Albany County Correctional Facility upon medical release.
Additional Vehicle and Traffic Law charges are anticipated.
The victim was identified as Eric J. Hurley, 38, of Albany, who was driving northbound when the collision occurred.
State Police responded to the crash at about 4:39 a.m. on Oct. 12 in the area of exit 2 on I-787 northbound.
Hurley sustained severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was transported to Albany Medical Center with what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash led to the closure of all northbound lanes on I-787 between the Interstate 87 Thruway and exit 3 for crash reconstruction.
