1 Dead When 2 Tractor Trailers Collide On I-87

CATSKILL, NY — A tractor trailer driver was killed early Sunday in a collision involving two trucks. State police said around 5:40 a.m. troopers responded to a collision on I-87 north in the Town of Catskill.

The investigation found that a tractor trailer operated Irinel Mladin-Kennedy, 51, of Schenectady, was going north with it veered off the right shoulder for an unknown reason and struck a tractor trailer that had pulled over on the right shoulder. That one was being operated by Michael E. Wolf, 63, of Red Lion, Pennsylvania.

Police said both vehicles traveled about 100 feet north on the shoulder when they caught fire.

All northbound lanes were closed for several hours.

Wolf was taken to Albany Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Mladin-Kennedy was pronounced dead at the scene by the Greene County coroner.

His body was sent to Ellis Hospital in Schenectady where an autopsy was conducted Monday.

The cause of death was due to injuries sustained from the collision. A toxicology report is still pending.

Police said Wolf was transporting coffee products.

Mladin-Kennedy was operating a tractor trailer containing 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.

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