Scott K. Berberian Killed in Stafford Car Accident
67-year-old driver charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI after rear-end collision on I-90
Scott K. Berberian, 56, of Syracuse, was killed in a car accident on the New York State Thruway in Stafford, Genesee County, New York, on Friday, April 10, according to New York State Police.
A 2024 BMW X6 SUV traveling eastbound rear-ended a 2017 GMC pickup truck around 8:53 p.m. near mile marker 384. The collision caused the pickup to overturn, ejecting the driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the SUV, identified as 67-year-old Patrick J. Hastings of Churchville, was uninjured but showed signs of impairment. Troopers arrested Hastings after he failed field sobriety tests and registered a 0.08% blood alcohol content.
Hastings faces charges of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and other traffic offenses. He was taken to the Genesee County Jail for arraignment.
Investigators are asking witnesses with dashcam footage to contact the New York State Police.
Why did the BMW rear-end the pickup on the NYS Thruway?
While the criminal case against Hastings proceeds, investigators will examine the crash scene to determine the exact speed and braking patterns of the SUV before the collision.
"Nobody thinks about the physics of a crash until it's much too late to slow down," said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "Research indicates that the speed differential between two vehicles is actually the strongest predictor of whether someone survives the impact."
How do DUI charges affect the investigation in Stafford?
Families who lose a loved one to an impaired driver often face a complex intersection of criminal proceedings and civil liability.
"I've seen families blindsided by what a black box reveals about the moments before a crash," said Stefano Formica, Of Bond Legal"It's the only way to prove exactly how fast a car was going and if the driver even tried to brake."
The criminal charges address the state's case against the driver, but the victim's family retains separate rights to seek accountability through the civil justice system.
New York wrongful death statute
Under N.Y. EPTL § 5-4.1, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. New York applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance, funeral expenses, and the decedent's conscious pain and suffering.