Police: Man drove tractor-trailer on drugs, caused fatal crash

A New Jersey man is accused of driving under the influence of drugs and causing a fatal crash in Rotterdam.

The crash happened on I-90 on Tuesday around 10:14 p.m. State police said Manuel E. Aristyarias, 59, of Passaic, New Jersey, was driving west near Exit 25A when he struck the rear of another tractor-trailer. The driver of that vehicle, a resident of Canada, was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity is being kept secret until next of kin are notified.

Aristyarias was charged with driving while impaired by drugs. He received a fine and had to appear in court in Rotterdam on December 2.

The highway between exit 25 and exit 26 was closed until approximately 5:45 am