Police ID Man Killed In Crash With Tractor-Trailer Monday

WOODBURY, NY — Police released the names of the two people involved in the fatal crash Monday on Interstate 87.

The New York State Police said Sama Exantus, 25, of Monroe, was driving a 1997 Ford Escort south on the Thruway around 6:15 a.m. Monday when he pulled onto the shoulder just after passing exit 16 (Harriman/Rt 17).

He then tried to re-enter the roadway, but when pulling into the driving lane, he failed to yield the right of way to a Penske tractor-trailer that was also traveling south in the driving lane, police said.

The tractor-trailer’s driver — John T. Abernathy, 59, of Pine Bush — was unable to stop or avoid striking the Ford in the rear.

Police said Exantus suffered fatal injuries as a result of the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene.

His body was taken to the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office pending an autopsy.

Abernathy was not injured in the crash, police said.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by Troop F Collision Reconstruction Unit and BCI, Troop T Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit and Thruway Maintenance.