Pittsfield Man Killed on NYS Thruway

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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. 

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Pittsfield Council OKs Privacy Measure, Sees Bridge Update

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The state plans to remove some of crumbling concrete on the Dalton Avenue bridge and wrap its repairs into a project with the rail trail. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council is taking steps to protect its own privacy, as well as public comment speakers' privacy. 

On Tuesday, councilors voted to remove their home addresses from city documents and websites and replace them with 70 Allen St., or City Hall, to improve safety. It was brought forward by Ward 4 Councilor James Conant, Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody, Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, and Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham. 

"This is an easy proposal to support," Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi said. 

While this doesn't completely block their addresses from public view, as they are listed elsewhere as residents, it makes them a little harder to access. 

Moody pointed out that a Virginia city councilor was set on fire last year by a member of the public. NBC News reported that the attack stemmed from a personal matter. 

"I don't think anybody worries about me being able to defend myself, but I do have children, and I worry for them," Moody explained. 

Warren pointed out that they have done the same for those who speak at public comment. When he was first elected into office years ago, people picketed at his home for his stance on a School Committee issue. 

"Back then, it wasn't that big a deal. Now we find ourselves in very divisive times," Warren said. 

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