Friday night turned fatal on a stretch of Interstate 90 in Stafford, where 56-year-old Scott K. Berberian lost his life in a violent crash that authorities say should never have happened. Berberian, a North Syracuse resident, was driving eastbound when everything suddenly went wrong.
According to New York State Police, the crash happened just before 9 p.m., around 8:53, along the busy New York State Thruway. Investigators say Berberian was behind the wheel of a GMC pickup truck when it was struck from behind by a BMW traveling in the same direction.
The impact was severe. Troopers said the force caused the pickup truck to overturn, throwing Berberian out of the vehicle. It was a devastating moment that left little chance for survival. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Berberian was pronounced dead right there at the scene.
Authorities identified the other driver as 67-year-old Patrick J. Hastings of Churchville. While he walked away from the crash without physical injuries, troopers quickly noticed signs that raised concern. They said Hastings appeared impaired at the scene.
Police reported that Hastings failed standard field sobriety tests conducted roadside. A later breath test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent, right at the legal limit in New York. For investigators, that detail became a critical piece of the case.
Hastings now faces serious charges, including second-degree vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated, along with several other traffic violations. He was taken into custody and transported to the Genesee County Jail, where he awaited centralized arraignment.
Behind the scenes, the investigation has drawn support from the State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office. Officials say the case is still active as they work to fully understand every detail leading up to the crash.
For those who knew Scott Berberian, the loss is deeply personal. What began as an ordinary Friday evening ended in a tragedy that now leaves a family grieving and a community searching for answers.
