UPDATED: State Police Investigate Crash Involving Patrol Vehicle on I-90 in Schenectady County

Update:

The New York State Police continue to investigate a crash on Friday, June 6, 2025, that injured a New York State Trooper.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that June 6 at about 12:22 p.m., Trooper Justin T. Mitchell, age 27, a one-year member of the NYSP, was standing on the passenger side of a Honda Odyssey minivan while conducting a traffic stop westbound on the NYS Thruway at mile post marker 167 in the town of Rotterdam.

A 2020 Western Star truck being driven by John T. Aesch, age 66, of Gloversville, NY, was driving westbound when it drifted onto the right shoulder and struck the rear of the State Police patrol vehicle. The patrol vehicle was pushed into the minivan and struck Trooper Mitchell, who was thrown over the guiderail and down the embankment. Trooper Mitchell suffered a shoulder injury and numerous lacerations and was treated at Albany Medical Center and released.

Aesch was transported to Albany Medical Center for evaluation.

The driver of the Honda minivan, Zeng Qiandong, age 61, and passenger He Xiaomei, age 58, both of Belmont, Massachusetts, were transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam with minor injuries.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and no tickets have been issued.

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Original release:

On June 6, 2025, at about 12:30 p.m., a Trooper was conducting a traffic stop involving a Honda Odyssey on the New York State Thruway westbound west of Exit 26 when a tractor (not pulling a trailer) struck the rear of the patrol vehicle which then struck the Honda.

The Trooper, who was standing on the passenger side of the Honda, was thrown over the guiderail and down the embankment. The Trooper suffered serious but not life threatening injuries and has been transported to Albany Medical Center.

The driver and passenger of the Honda have been transported to St. Mary’s hospital in Amsterdam with minor injuries.

The Thruway will remain closed westbound at Exit 26 while the crash is being investigated. A traffic diversion will be in place at Exit 26.

Updates will be provided when available.