Driver charged in deadly Thruway crash

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

The driver in a weekend Thruway accident that left two of his passengers dead and a Schenectady man in another car injured was charged Tuesday with multiple felonies, including aggravated vehicular homicide and drunken driving.

State police said Tyler S. Pascuzzi, 24, of Coxsackie, was formally arrested upon his release Tuesday from Albany Medical Center. He is accused of driving drunk and at a high rate of speed west on the Thruway about two miles east of Exit 25 just before midnight Friday when he struck a car driven by Brian T. Miller, 29, of Schenectady. Pascuzzi’s car, which carried two passengers, then went on to strike a tractor-trailer, cutting the car in half.

Pascuzzi’s two passengers, Cody J. Veverka, 23, of South Cairo, Greene County, and Alicia M. Tamboia, 24, of Wingdale, Dutchess County, were ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.

Miller’s car crashed into the center guide rail before coming to rest, police said. He was taken to Albany Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Pascuzzi is charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving. If convicted of the top charge, aggravated vehicular homicide, Pascuzzi could face up to 25 years in prison.

Pascuzzi was arraigned Tuesday afternoon and ordered held at the Albany County jail.