Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that the man who was high on drugs and crashed into a New York State Police Trooper and a tow truck driver on the Northway last year will serve four to 12 years in state prison.

Jason Guerin, 41, was sentenced by the Honorable Andra Ackerman Monday in Albany County Court after pleading guilty in March to Aggravated Vehicular Assault. Nearly 40 NYS Troopers filled the courtroom to show support for their fellow officer.

“Getting behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol leads to life-altering outcomes, and I think one of the things we can learn from this case is that we all need to understand the risk our Troopers take every day out on the roadways,” DA Kindlon said. “We all need to slow down, use care and move over when we see police, motorists, or construction crews along the shoulders.”

Guerin admitted to being high on a combination of fentanyl and cocaine on Nov. 2, 2024, when he swerved off the highway and crashed his 2023 Ford F-150 into Trooper Nicholas Abbondola and tow truck driver Brett M. Dempsey, who were standing on the shoulder near the Exit 6 and 7 southbound ramp of the Northway in Colonie. Guerin was on probation for an earlier DWI in Malta when the crash occurred. Both men were seriously injured and are still recovering.

Guerin read a prepared statement before sentencing and took full responsibility for the crash, blaming it on his addiction.

“My decision making became reckless, selfish and careless and I involved two other innocent families in my mess,” Guerin said. “I don’t dare ask for forgiveness. I do pray for it, but I need to prove it first, not in here, not today.”

Judge Ackerman encouraged Guerin to read a letter submitted to the court by Trooper Abbondola, whose injuries were nearly fatal and may prevent him from working as a police officer in the future.

“You killed this young man’s ability to live a youthful, active part of his life,” she said.

Troop G Capt. Nicholas Lombardi said the support of the law enforcement community provided a boost to Trooper Abbondola, from the first responders to Colonie Police, Troopers across the area and the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.

“We come together as a family,” he said. “We are very grateful Trooper Abbondola survived this event. He will live with this for the rest of his life, but we’re grateful he’s still here with us.”

Assistant District Attorneys Collin D’Arcy and Katherine Miller of the Vehicular Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.