Troopers: Semi driver fell asleep, leading to deadly Northway crash

PHOTOGRAPHER: Erica Miller

The scene of Wednesday morning's crash at Exit 18

QUEENSBURY — The crash that killed a tractor-trailer driver on the Northway early Wednesday morning unfolded after another tractor-trailer driver fell asleep at the wheel, state police said.

State police said Everon J. Meadows, 50, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was driving a Hannaford truck when he fell asleep around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, drifted off the eastern shoulder of the roadway in the area of Exit 18, struck a guiderail and lost control. The truck rolled onto its side, its cab coming to rest in the right lane, state police said.

Meadows was uninjured in that crash, got out on his own and moved to the side, state police said.

Photos: Images from Wednesday’s crash scene at Northway Exit 18

Soon after, a New Penn tractor-trailer hauling fertilizer and paper products slammed into Meadows’ cab, state police said. That collision ripped Meadows’ cab from its trailer and both became engulfed in flames, state police said.

The driver of the New Penn tractor-trailer was killed. His name has yet to be released, pending forensic identification.

The investigation remained ongoing Thursday.

State police have asked anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact them at 518-745-1035.