NY state trooper dies in crash

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - A New York state trooper died in a crash on Tuesday morning just outside the police barracks in Fonday where he was assigned.

At about 7:45 a.m., Trooper Jeremy J. VanNostrand was in his personal car on State Highway 5S waiting to turn into the barracks.

A box truck rear-ended his vehicle, pushing it into the oncoming traffic lanes where it collided with a pickup truck.

VanNostrand was taken to Albany Medical Center where he died.

The driver of box truck, Aaron M. Munsie, 32, of Amsterdam, New York, was not hurt, police said. The driver of the pickup truck, Robert E. Crews, 52, of Fort Plain, New York, was taken to St. Mary's Hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, police said.

"At this time, the weather does not appear to be a factor in the crash, no tickets have been issued and the investigation into the crash is ongoing," police said in a news release.

A state trooper since December 2012, VanNostrand had served in Middletown, Liberty and Granville before moving to the Fonda barracks.

Before becoming a trooper, he was a state correctional officer for eight years.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff in VanNostrand's honor from Nov. 28 until he is buried.

"His legacy of service, as a State Corrections Officer and then as a member of the New York State Police, was an inspiration to us all, and his example will live on for generations to come," Cuomo said in a statement. "[O]n behalf of all New Yorkers I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."

VanNostrand is survived by his wife, their daughter, his parents and brothers.