DWI Arrest Follows Dangerous Wrong-Way Thruway Crash
Police say a pickup traveled against traffic on I-87 in Coeymans, triggering a head-on collision and tractor-trailer rollover.
A wrong-way Thruway crash in Coeymans left three drivers with minor injuries early Saturday and resulted in the arrest of a Massachusetts man on a driving while intoxicated charge, according to the New York State Police.
The three-vehicle collision happened at approximately 4:40 a.m. July 25 on the southbound side of Interstate 87 near Exit 21A. Police said the accused driver was traveling north in the southbound lanes before his pickup struck another pickup head-on.
A tractor-trailer driver then swerved in an attempt to avoid the wreck and overturned, investigators said.
The incident closed the Thruway’s southbound lanes temporarily while emergency crews treated the drivers, investigated the collision and removed all three damaged vehicles.
Police Describe Head-On Collision Near Exit 21A
Troopers from SP Albany and SP Fultonville responded to the crash along with other emergency personnel.
According to the official State Police account, 24-year-old David Thomas Russell of Westfield, Massachusetts, was driving a gray 2021 Ford pickup truck.
The preliminary investigation found that Russell was heading north in the highway’s southbound lanes. His truck allegedly struck a blue 2025 Ford pickup head-on.
That second truck was driven by Armando Arevalo, 90, of Glens Falls.
A third vehicle, a 2026 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Mamadou Blade, 34, of Troy, was traveling south when the collision unfolded. Police said Blade tried to avoid the two pickup trucks but lost control of the tractor-trailer, which overturned.
The State Police release said the southbound lanes “were blocked for a time” to allow first responders and recovery crews to clear the scene.
Officials did not specify how Russell allegedly entered the wrong side of the divided highway or how far he traveled before the collision.
All Three Drivers Reported Minor Injuries
Despite the violent nature of the crash, police described the injuries suffered by all three drivers as minor.
Emergency crews transported:
- Arevalo to St. Peter’s Hospital
- Blade to Albany Medical Center
- Russell to Albany Medical Center
State Police did not report any passengers in the vehicles. No deaths or life-threatening injuries were announced in the initial release.
The conditions of the drivers beyond the initial descriptions were not immediately available.
Driver Arrested on DWI Charge
Troopers said they detected signs of possible impairment while investigating Russell at the crash scene. Police administered field sobriety tests, which they said Russell failed.
He was subsequently arrested on a DWI charge.
Police also issued Russell numerous tickets for alleged violations of New York’s vehicle and traffic laws. Those allegations included speeding. He was additionally charged with second-degree reckless endangerment.
State Police did not release Russell’s alleged blood alcohol concentration or identify the specific evidence that caused troopers to suspect impairment. The agency also did not say whether a chemical breath or blood test was administered.
Russell is scheduled to appear in Coeymans Town Court at a later date.
The allegations remain accusations. Russell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Why Wrong-Way and Impaired Driving Is So Dangerous
A wrong-way collision on a divided highway can become deadly within seconds. Vehicles traveling toward one another at highway speeds leave drivers with little time or space to react.
This crash also illustrates how one dangerous driving decision can affect motorists who were not directly involved in the initial impact. Police said the tractor-trailer overturned as Blade attempted to avoid the two pickups.
Impaired driving remains a serious national traffic-safety problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 11,904 people died in crashes involving drivers with blood alcohol concentrations of at least 0.08% in 2024. Those deaths represented about 30% of all traffic fatalities nationwide.
That amounted to one alcohol-impaired driving death every 44 minutes.
NHTSA’s warning is direct: “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.” The agency advises motorists to arrange a sober driver, call a taxi or use a ride service whenever they have consumed alcohol or another impairing substance.
New York law also allows for fines, possible incarceration and the suspension or revocation of driving privileges following an alcohol- or drug-related driving conviction. The exact consequences depend on the offense, test results and a driver’s prior record, according to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Thruway Uses Technology to Deter Wrong-Way Drivers
The New York State Thruway Authority has installed radar-enhanced warning systems at some interchange ramps to discourage drivers from entering the highway in the wrong direction.
According to the Thruway Authority, the equipment uses Doppler radar to detect a vehicle moving the wrong way. LED signs then flash an enhanced warning intended to alert the driver.
The Authority has also worked to connect the detection system to its statewide operations center. That connection can help officials alert other motorists and dispatch law enforcement when a wrong-way vehicle is detected.
State Police did not indicate whether that technology was installed or activated near the point where Saturday’s driver entered I-87.
What Motorists Should Do
Drivers who encounter a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction should concentrate first on avoiding a collision.
Recommended steps include:
- Reduce speed without making a sudden maneuver that could cause another crash.
- Move away from the wrong-way vehicle when it is safe to do so.
- Pull into a protected location before calling 911.
- Give dispatchers the highway name, travel direction, nearest exit and vehicle description.
- Never attempt to follow, block or stop the vehicle.
Anyone who has been drinking or using an impairing substance should not attempt to judge whether they are “safe enough” to drive. A designated driver or ride service should be arranged before drinking begins.
Investigation Continues After Coeymans Crash
The wrong-way Thruway crash near Coeymans could have produced a far more devastating outcome. Three large vehicles were involved, including a tractor-trailer that overturned, yet police reported only minor injuries.
The case now moves to Coeymans Town Court, where the evidence supporting the DWI and reckless-endangerment allegations will be considered.
Motorists can help prevent another collision by planning a sober ride, watching ramp signs carefully and immediately reporting suspected wrong-way drivers. A single call to 911 could give police the time they need to stop a dangerous vehicle before another family is placed at risk.
