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Evans, NY (July 21, 2026) – One man died, and another was injured in a two-vehicle collision early on Sunday, July 19, on eastbound Interstate 90. The accident occurred at approximately 4:33 a.m. in the town of Evans.
A 2023 Kia sedan driven by 33-year-old Andre R. Akin of Buffalo and a 2025 Freightliner tractor-trailer made contact in the eastbound lanes. Both vehicles then traveled onto the south shoulder and struck the guide rail.
Part of the rail broke away and entered the Kia. Akin was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver, 28-year-old Dru Montae Chism of Belleville, Illinois, was taken to Erie County Medical Center with minor injuries.
All eastbound lanes were closed for several hours, with traffic diverted at Exit 57A. The exit later reopened, though the right lane remained blocked during cleanup and vehicle recovery. The cause of the crash remains under review.
We offer our sincere condolences to Akin’s family and friends.
Why Passenger Cars and Trucks React Differently to Guardrails
Guardrails are designed to keep vehicles from leaving the pavement or reaching steep slopes and fixed objects. Their shape allows them to absorb energy and redirect a vehicle along the roadside.
Severe contact can bend, break, or separate sections of the barrier. The angle, speed, and size of a vehicle may influence how the rail reacts. Large trucks and passenger cars can also interact with these structures differently because of their weight and height.
Damage patterns, tire marks, debris, and final vehicle positions can help explain the movement that followed the first point of contact. Road width, shoulder space, lighting, and barrier placement may provide additional context. These details help show how roadside safety equipment performed and why the outcomes differed for the people involved.
