NYS Thruway, NY (April 26, 2026) – Joseph Mensah-Otoo, a 42-year-old of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, died after driving the wrong way on the New York State Thruway and colliding with three vehicles Sunday night, leaving six others injured, according to authorities.
Mensah-Otoo was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 87 in Saugerties when his 2025 Toyota struck three vehicles—a 2022 Honda, a 2020 BMW, and a 2017 Ford F-150—around 9:11 p.m. between Exits 19 and 20. He was ejected from his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
Six others sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. The injured included a 37-year-old man from New City, a 59-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman from Cohoes, and three 19-year-old men from Dalton and Hinsdale, Massachusetts. All six were transported to Health Alliance Hospital in Kingston for treatment.
Troopers from the Albany Thruway barracks responded to the scene. New York State Police continue to investigate the circumstances that led the driver to travel in the wrong direction. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact New York State Police directly.
Wrong-Way Driver Accidents on New York Highways
Wrong-way crashes on high-speed highways like the NYS Thruway are among the most catastrophic types of collisions, frequently resulting in head-on impacts at dangerous speeds. Under New York law, victims of such accidents have the right to pursue compensation from all responsible parties — including the wrong-way driver and, in some circumstances, other entities whose actions may have contributed to the collision.
New York operates under a Pure Comparative Negligence standard, meaning that even if a victim is found to carry a small portion of fault, they may still recover damages proportional to the other party’s share of responsibility. Additionally, New York’s No-Fault system provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits — covering medical expenses and lost wages up to $50,000 — regardless of who caused the crash. However, victims who suffer serious injuries as defined under New York Insurance Law § 5102(d) may be eligible to step outside the No-Fault system and pursue full pain and suffering damages against the at-fault driver. Because wrong-way crashes often involve devastating, life-altering injuries, consulting with an experienced Upstate New York car accident attorney is a critical first step. New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident, and two years for wrongful death claims — making prompt action essential to preserving evidence and protecting your rights.
Stanley Law Offices extends its thoughts to everyone affected by the wrong-way crash on the NYS Thruway or a similar traffic accident anywhere in the New York area or Upstate New York. If you or a loved one was injured, or if you have lost a family member in this collision, our attorneys are ready to help you understand your options at no upfront cost.
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Contact us at 888-997-3889 for a free, private consultation. We are here to help you.
