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A Coxsackie man, Lewis Thomas, has pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree manslaughter and driving while intoxicated (DWI) following a fatal crash on Interstate 787 in Albany, New York. The incident occurred on October 12, 2025, when Thomas, aged 44, was driving south in the northbound lanes near Exit 2 at around 4:30 a.m. He collided head-on with a vehicle driven by Eric Hurley, a 38-year-old Watervliet city employee, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tests revealed that Thomas had a blood alcohol content of 0.16, which is twice the legal limit, according to the Albany County District Attorney’s office. Thomas was hospitalized in stable condition after the crash and was later arraigned in his hospital bed. He now faces a prison sentence ranging from five to 15 years, with sentencing scheduled for July 15.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Collin D’Arcy and Assistant District Attorney Katherine Miller. Thomas is currently held at the Albany County Correctional Facility. The crash has raised concerns about drunk driving and its consequences, as authorities continue to urge drivers to prioritize safety on the roads.
For more details, visit the AOL News and Daily Voice reports.