State Police release the names of the drivers involved in a fatal tractor trailer accident on the Thruway in Catskill.
NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Douglas R. Keyer Jr.
Troop T Commander
PRESS RELEASE
On Sunday, March 31, 2019, at approximately 5:38 a.m., State Police responded to a serious personal injury accident on I-87 northbound, in the town of Catskill.
The investigation revealed that a tractor trailer operated byIrinel Mladin-Kennedy, 51, of Schenectady, NY, was traveling northbound when it veered off the right shoulder for an unknown reason and struck a tractor trailer pulled over on the right shoulder, occupied byMichael E. Wolf, 63, of Red Lion, PA.
Both vehicles traveled approximately 100 feet north on the shoulder when they caught fire, closing all northbound lanes for several hours.
Wolf was transported to Albany Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries. The tractor trailer he occupied was transporting coffee products.
Mladin-Kennedy was pronounced deceased at the scene by Greene County
Coroner Vigilo and ordered removed to Ellis Hospital in Schenectady where an autopsy was conducted this morning, Monday, April 1, 2019. The cause of death was due to injuries sustained from the accident. A toxicology report is pending.
The tractor trailer Mladin-Kennedy was operating was transporting U.S. Mail. The Postal Inspector was notified of the accident and the status of the load.
State Police Members from Troop F and Troop T Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit (CVEU) handled the investigation. They were assisted at the scene by Catskill Fire Department, Kiskatom Fire Department, Catskill Rescue, and Gallagher’s Towing. All northbound lanes reopened to traffic shortly after 1:00 p.m.