Saugerties, NY (April 28, 2026) – A 42-year-old man died Sunday night, April 26, after driving the wrong way on Interstate 87 and striking three vehicles in Saugerties. The crash occurred at approximately 9:11 p.m. between Exits 19 and 20 on the New York State Thruway.
Joseph Mensah-Otoo of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when his 2025 Toyota struck a 2022 Honda, a 2020 BMW, and a 2017 Ford F-150 in succession. The force of the collisions ejected Mensah-Otoo from his vehicle. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
Six other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the accident. The injured included a 37-year-old man from New City, a 59-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman from Cohoes, and three 19-year-old men from Dalton and Hinsdale, Massachusetts. Emergency units transported all six to a nearby hospital in Kingston for treatment.
New York State police continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Joseph Mensah-Otoo. We also wish a full recovery to those injured in this accident.
Compensation That Victims Can Recover After a Car Accident in New York
Victims hurt in a car accident in New York may be able to recover several types of compensation depending on the severity of their injuries and the circumstances of the crash. These generally fall into two categories — economic damages, which cover measurable financial losses, and non-economic damages, which address the broader personal impact of the injuries.
Economic damages include medical expenses such as emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and any future treatment related to the crash. Lost wages also fall into this category — if an injury prevents a person from working during recovery, they may seek compensation for that lost income. In more serious cases where injuries affect a person’s long-term ability to work, compensation for reduced earning capacity may also apply.
Non-economic damages address losses that are harder to quantify but equally real. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are among the most commonly pursued non-economic damages after a serious collision. Documenting how injuries affect daily life — through personal journals, medical notes, and statements from family members — helps support these types of claims.
New York operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means injured drivers and passengers first turn to their own Personal Injury Protection coverage for medical expenses and lost wages. However, New York law allows a person to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim directly against the at-fault driver when injuries meet the state’s serious injury threshold — which includes significant disfigurement, broken bones, or permanent limitation of a body part or organ.
A car accident lawyer can review the available evidence, identify all liable parties, and explain what compensation may apply to your specific situation. An attorney can handle communication with insurance companies and help ensure that all available options are considered.
If you have questions about your options after a serious car accident in New York, our team can help review your situation and explain what may be available to you. With experience across many accident scenarios, our team at Metro Law can clarify how medical documentation, insurance communication, and liability may work in your case.
Call Metro Law at (800) 469-6476 to talk with our lawyers and discuss what steps may be available to you.
