Fatal interstate collision leaves one man dead and results in vehicular manslaughter charges against alleged impaired driver

Rochester, New York – A late-night crash on a busy stretch of interstate has turned into a criminal case, leaving one man dead and another facing serious charges in what authorities describe as an ongoing investigation.

On April 10, 2026, law enforcement officials confirmed the arrest of Patrick J. Hastings, a 67-year-old resident of Churchville, New York. He has been charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter, a felony offense, along with driving while intoxicated and several additional traffic violations.

The incident unfolded earlier that evening, at approximately 8:53 p.m., when New York State Troopers from the Buffalo station were dispatched to a collision along Interstate 90 in the town of Stafford. What they found upon arrival painted a grim picture—two vehicles, both traveling eastbound, had collided with devastating consequences.

According to investigators, a 2017 GMC pickup truck was moving along the highway when it was struck from behind by a 2024 BMW X6. The force of the impact caused the pickup to overturn, turning a routine drive into a fatal घटना within seconds. The driver of the GMC, Scott K. Berberian, 56, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash.

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Emergency responders pronounced Berberian dead at the scene.

Hastings, who was driving the BMW, did not suffer physical injuries. However, authorities say his condition raised immediate concerns. Troopers at the scene observed signs of impairment and proceeded with standardized field sobriety testing, which Hastings reportedly failed.

He was taken into custody and transported to State Police barracks in Batavia, where further testing was conducted. Officials stated that Hastings provided a breath sample registering a blood alcohol content of .08 percent, the legal threshold for intoxication in New York State.
Following processing, Hastings was transferred to the Genesee County Jail, where he awaited centralized arraignment.

The investigation into the collision has involved multiple agencies, including the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office. Their role has been to carefully examine the sequence of events leading up to the crash, reconstructing the moments before impact in order to determine liability and ensure that all evidence is properly documented.

Despite the arrest, authorities emphasize that the case is far from closed. Investigators continue to gather information, and officials have made a public appeal for assistance. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or possesses dash camera footage from the area at the time is urged to come forward.

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As the legal process begins, the case stands as another stark reminder of the consequences tied to impaired driving. A single মুহূর্ত—one decision behind the wheel—has left a family grieving and another individual facing charges that could carry lasting consequences.

For now, investigators remain focused on piecing together every detail, ensuring that the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash are fully understood.