New York State Police investigating alleged hit-and-run in the Town of Sheridan

TOWN OF SHERIDAN, N.Y. (WKBW) — A man was found dead Wednesday morning along Interstate 90 in the Town of Sheridan after a Thruway trooper discovered a damaged pickup truck and trailer parked along the shoulder, prompting a hit-and-run investigation, New York State Police said.

The trooper came across the disabled vehicle at about 6:30 a.m. and, while checking on it, noticed it had been struck. A short distance away, the trooper found the body of a man, police said.

The victim suffered severe injuries, and police have not yet publicly identified him.

“We are unable to make a positive identification,” said Trooper James O’Callaghan, a State Police Troop A public information officer. “We are going to go a scientific route, which would probably be DNA.”

Police said investigators are working with the company the victim is believed to have worked for and are trying to confirm that he was driving the pickup truck hauling the trailer at the time of the crash.

Investigators later located a tractor-trailer about 25 miles from the crash scene near Exit 61. The tractor-trailer had extensive damage that appeared to be consistent with evidence found at the scene, O’Callaghan said.

State police said the company that owns the tractor-trailer is cooperating with investigators. Police also located the driver they believe was operating the vehicle.

O’Callaghan said the driver is not cooperating with investigators and has retained an attorney. The driver was detained earlier in the investigation but is no longer being held, police said.

No charges have been filed.

Investigators with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation are continuing to gather evidence and determine what happened before deciding whether charges are warranted.

O’Callaghan said the quick response by the trooper who discovered the damaged vehicle helped investigators locate a vehicle they believe may be connected to the crash.

“Fortunately, our troopers were able to act in a very quick manner and locate that vehicle,” O’Callaghan said. “We were just in the right place at the right time to get proper identification of a suspect vehicle.”

Police said the investigation remains ongoing and that they will consider the totality of the evidence before determining whether charges will be filed.

“We have to do our best and use our technology that we have to come to justice and come to a resolve,” O’Callaghan said.