Pittsfield Man Killed on NYS Thruway

03:28PM / Monday, April 27, 2026Print Story | Email Story

Joseph Mensah-Otoo was traveling the wrong direction when his 2025 Toyota struck three vehicles.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city man was killed Sunday night in an accident on I-87 in New York State.

Joseph Mensah-Otoo, age 42, of Pittsfield, was ejected from his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene after New York State Police say he hit three vehicles traveling the wrong way on the thruway.

Three other Berkshire residents traveling north were injured when their vehicles were struck.

At approximately 9:11 p.m. on Sunday, troopers assigned to the Albany Thruway barracks responded to a report of a wrong-way driver on Interstate 87 northbound, between Exits 19 and 20, in the town of Saugerties.

A preliminary investigation determined that a 2025 Toyota was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it struck a 2022 Honda, a 2020 BMW, and a 2017 Ford F-150, all of which were traveling northbound.

The operator and sole occupant of the Toyota was identified as Mensah-Otoo.

Six other individuals were injured in the crash, including a 37-year-old man from New City; a 59-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, both from Cohoes, N.Y.; two 19-year-old men, both from Dalton; and a 19-year-old man from Hinsdale.

All were transported to Health Alliance Hospital in Kingston, N.Y., with non-life-threatening injuries.

State Police say the accident is still under investigation. They did not indicate how or why Mensah-Otoo was driving in the wrong lanes.

Tags: fatal,

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Pittsfield's Highland Restaurant Closing After 90 Years of Business

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:52PM / Monday, August 03, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Highland Restaurant will close after 90 years of serving locals pasta, seafood, and other Italian favorites.

On Sunday, the restaurant announced on social media that August will be its last month in business.

"In 1936, The Highland Restaurant opened its doors with overarching goals of bringing people together, serving great food, and creating lasting memories. For 90 years, generations of families, friends, and neighbors have made The Highland part of their lives. It has been our privilege to be part of yours," a Facebook post reads.

"As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we have also reached a natural conclusion. It is with a rush of mixed emotions that we announce August will be our final month in business."

The eatery at 100 Fenn Street, right next to City Hall, is owned by Pasquale, Gerardo and Dario Arace. The owners wrote that The Highland has always been more than a restaurant: "It has been our family's home and life's work."

They hope that every time people think of The Highland, it is with a smile.

"We are endlessly grateful to our employees, with some being with us for more than 50 years, for their loyalty, dedication, and friendship," the post reads.

"Above all, thank you to the people of Berkshire County and beyond. Your support, kindness, and memories have sustained us for nine decades. We hope The Highland will always be remembered not just for the meals we served, but for the moments shared around our tables."

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