Trucker Accused: Shopping Online, Taking Survey, Crushing Honda

After a two-month investigation, New York State Police have arrested a truck driver over a fatal collision on the Thruway. The accident June 8 killed a Rochester woman. Now a Ballston Spa resident faces a felony charge.

At about 9:44 a.m. June 8, State Police were dispatched to investigate a serious injury, multiple vehicle collision on I-90 between exit 48a and exit 49. A 2016 Freightliner box truck operated by Kristofer M. Gregorek, 27was traveling westbound and struck the rear of a 2009 Honda also traveling westbound.

The driver of the Honda, Ellen M. Volpe, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene. One other person involved in the collision was transported to a local hospital with non-life threating injuries.

Police allege that Gregorek was using his cell phone, shopping online and then completing a survey when he rear-ended the Honda.

On Wednesday, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Gregorek. He faces a charge of 2nd Degree Manslaughter.

The collision was investigated by Troop T & A personnel and reconstructed by the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU). The Erie County District Attorney’s Office has been conferred with during this investigation.

Gregorek was scheduled to be arraigned at the Town of Lancaster Court.