EVANS, New York — Police are looking into a crash on the New York Thruway that occurred in the overnight hours on Monday morning.
According to a news release by the New York State Police (NYSP), on July 19, 2026, at approximately 4:33 a.m., troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on the New York State Thruway (I-90) eastbound in Evans.
NYSP said its preliminary investigation determined that Andre R. Akin, 33, of Buffalo, was operating a 2023 Kia sedan in the passing lane when the vehicle drifted into the driving lane and collided with a 2025 Freightliner tractor-trailer operated by Dru Montae Chism, 28, of Belleville, Illinois. Both vehicles traveled onto the south shoulder and struck the guide rail. The tractor-trailer partially sheared off the guide rail, which then impaled the Kia.
Chism, who showed no signs of impairment, was transported to Erie County Medical Center with minor injuries. Akin was pronounced deceased at the scene.
All eastbound lanes of the Thruway were closed for several hours while investigators conducted a collision reconstruction, with traffic diverted at Exit 57A (Eden-Angola). Once the reconstruction was complete, the exit reopened, but the right lane remained closed for several additional hours to allow for cleanup and vehicle recovery.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
