New York State Police: DWI Suspect Charged After Deadly Thruway Crash Kills Scott Berberian
Scott Berberian, 56, of North Syracuse killed in I-90 crash after alleged impaired driver causes pickup rollover and faces vehicular manslaughter char
A tragic crash on the New York State Thruway has left a North Syracuse community grieving after 56-year-old Scott K. Berberian lost his life Friday night in a collision that authorities say was caused by an impaired driver, underscoring the devastating consequences of dangerous decisions behind the wheel.
According to New York State Police, troopers responded at approximately 8:53 p.m. to a crash on Interstate 90 in the town of Stafford, where initial findings revealed that a GMC pickup truck traveling eastbound was struck from behind by an approaching BMW, triggering a violent chain of events that quickly turned fatal.
Investigators said the force of the impact caused the pickup truck to overturn, ejecting the driver, later identified as Scott K. Berberian. Despite emergency response efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene, marking a sudden and heartbreaking end to a life that family and friends are now left mourning.
Authorities reported that the driver of the BMW, identified as Patrick J. Hastings, 67, of Churchville, was not injured in the crash but displayed clear signs of impairment at the scene. Troopers conducted standardized field sobriety tests, which he failed, raising immediate concerns about his condition at the time of the collision.
Further investigation revealed that Hastings later provided a breath sample showing a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent, meeting the legal threshold for intoxication. Officials have since charged him with second-degree vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and multiple additional vehicle and traffic violations.
Following his arrest, Hastings was taken to the Genesee County Jail for centralized arraignment, where he now faces serious legal consequences tied to the fatal crash. Authorities emphasized that impaired driving continues to be a leading factor in deadly roadway incidents across the state.
The investigation has involved multiple agencies, including the State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office, both working to carefully analyze evidence, reconstruct the crash, and establish a complete timeline of events leading up to the impact.
As the case continues, the loss of Scott K. Berberian serves as a painful reminder of the risks posed by impaired driving, leaving behind grieving loved ones and a community reflecting on the importance of accountability, awareness, and the need to prevent tragedies that can change lives in an instant.