*UPDATE* January 10, 2025
The investigation into this collision determined that Mr. Bonaparte’s vehicle was experiencing a mechanical brake issue, which caused him to stop on the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle that fatally struck Mr. Bonaparte was being driven by Jose M. Prieto Cole, 24, of Albany, NY. At the time of the collision, Prieto Cole was allegedly distracted and using a cellular device. During the investigation, Prieto Cole provided a written deposition that falsely represented his actions just prior to and at the time of the collision.
On January 9, 2025, Prieto Cole was arrested and processed at SP Fonda for Criminally Negligent Homicide, Offering a False Instrument in the second degree, and numerous Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was arraigned at the Root Town Court and remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash, $100,000 bond, and $100,000 partially secured bond.
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Original-posted January 6, 2025
On January 4, 2025, State Police responded to the report of a pedestrian struck by a westbound vehicle on I-90 in Canajoharie, NY.
On January 4, 2025, at about 11:50 a.m. State Police of Troop T responded to the reports of a car-pedestrian collision on I-90 westbound in Canajoharie, NY. The investigation determined that a westbound vehicle being driven by David Bonaparte, 61, of Rome, NY, stopped on the northern shoulder. Bonaparte exited the vehicle and was struck by another westbound vehicle. He sustained severe injuries and was declared deceased at the scene.
The investigation into the collision is ongoing. The driver of the other vehicle immediately stopped, contacted emergency services and has been cooperative with the investigation.
