Troopers identify semi driver killed in Queensbury Northway crash

PHOTOGRAPHER: Erica Miller

The scene of Wednesday morning's crash at Exit 18

QUEENSBURY – The driver killed in last week’s fiery Northway crash in Queensbury was identified Monday as a 61-year-old man from Pennsylvania.

Scott W. Rorapaugh, of York Haven died early Wednesday morning when his semi slammed into a tractor-trailer that had just crashed near Exit 18, state police said Monday.

The driver of the first semi, identified as Everon J. Meadows, 50, of Springfield, Mass., was uninjured in the crash, having exited his semi prior to the second impact, state police said.

State police said Meadows 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 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 and driven by Rorapaugh 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 investigation remained ongoing Monday.

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