LATHAM, N.Y.—A young state trooper from Mahopac is fighting to recover from severe injuries suffered while on duty in Upstate New York.
The Signal 30 NYS Troopers Benefit Fund has established a fundraiser for State Trooper Nicholas Abbondola to provide support to him and his family after the Mahopac native was severely injured by a passing pickup truck during a routine traffic stop in Colonie.
The Signal 30 NYS Troopers Benefit Fund aims to support troopers and their families during times of need, such as death, illness, injury and loss.
Abbondola sustained multiple fractures and other injuries and is expected to need extensive rehabilitation.
The Mahopac native joined the State Police in October 2023 and is currently assigned to Troop G on the Latham Interstate Patrol, according to State Police.
The accident occurred during a Nov. 2 traffic stop on I-87. According to State Police, Abbondola pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation around midday and determined it needed to be towed due to vehicle and traffic violations.
"While loading the vehicle onto the tow truck, the trooper and the tow truck operator were outside their vehicles when a passing pickup truck struck them," State Police said.
Tow truck driver Brett Dempsey, 29, was also seriously injured by the passing vehicle. Friends of Dempsey have created a GoFundMe to help take care of him and his family as well.
According to State Police, the pickup truck's driver, Jason J. Guerin, 40, of Malta, N.Y., was allegedly impaired when his truck injured Abbondola and Dempsey. Police said Guerin stopped and stayed on the scene following the collision, and was taken into custody. He faces a range of charges, including first-degree aggravated vehicular assault, a class C felony, second-degree assault in the second degree, a class D felony, driving while impaired by drugs, and numerous other vehicle and traffic law violations. Police said Guerin has had a previous DWI conviction in the last 10 years.
Following the incident, police said Guerin was taken to SP Latham for processing and evaluated by a drug recognition expert; samples were taken to determine the drug content of his blood. Guerin was arraigned at the Colonie Town Court on Nov. 3, where he was remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.
Supervisor and former Carmel Police Chief Mike Cazzari expressed the town's unwavering support for Abbondola.
"My thoughts and prayers are with Nicholas Abbondola," Cazzari said. “Many of us remember Nick from his time at Red Mills Market, where he was always friendly, helpful and kind. Let’s keep him in our prayers as he works through this tough time and wish him a quick and full recovery.”
Visit halstonmedia.org/Abbondola (case sensitive) or click this link to visit the fundraise for Trooper Abbondola:
The GoFundMe for the tow truck driver can be found at halstonmedia.org/TowTruck (case sensitive).
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