GUILDERLAND — Preliminary reports cite speed and alcohol as possible factors in Friday’s fatal two-car crash on Western Avenue, but the investigation is still ongoing according to police.

The scene of the crash was dismal, with both vehicles spun in opposite directions and glass, twisted metal, debris, and gasoline and oil strewn in various directions. Yellow tape and bright emergency lights sectioned off the accident. Suda’s car ripped down several road signs, which were sticking out from under the car, as it rested on Crossgates’ property. The car looked as through it went through a demolition derby.

Joseph K. Albert of Albany, a passenger in Saslano S. Suda’s crushed car, was removed using the Jaws of Life and later died shortly after arriving at Albany Medical Center Hospital.

Guilderland Police say that about 8:37 a.m. on Nov. 17, Suda, 40, was driving west in his 1998 Saturn through the center turning lane of Western Avenue and crashed head-on into the passenger side of Michelle E. Burton’s 2005 Toyota 4-Runner while she was turning into Crossgates Mall.

Burton, 40, from East Berne and Suda, of 14 Myrtle Ave. in Albany, were both taken to Albany Medical Center for minor injuries, according to the Western Turnpike Rescue Squad.
"The white Saturn was traveling westbound in the center lane. Witnesses say he [Suda] was traveling at a ‘high rate of speed,’" said Investigator Thomas Funk of the Guilderland Police. "The SUV was making a left from the eastbound lane into the mall."

Funk told The Enterprise Suda’s sedan struck Burton’s SUV from the side in a "T-bone" fashion. And, he said, judging from the extensive damage to both vehicles, eye-witness accounts of Suda driving excessively fast are probably accurate. He added that things are still "preliminary" at this stage.
"His [Suda] car continued spinning after the impact and then came to rest on Crossgates’ property," Funk said.

Western Avenue was temporarily closed off following the accident, but the westbound lane was soon re-opened using the turning lane for traffic.

According to Funk, five or six witnesses are helping police reconstruct the events of that morning.
"It’s not as many as one would like," Funk said of the witnesses. Police were collecting evidence and cleaning up the scene until after 3 o’clock that afternoon.

The Westmere Fire Department removed Suda and Albert using the Jaws of Life.
"The driver was out pretty quick"It took about 10 minutes to get to the passenger," said Westmere Fire Chief William Swartz, calling the damage to the vehicles "extensive."

Emergency medical services workers were on the scene to immediately treat Suda, Burton, and Albert, said Swartz. Workers from Guilderland Emergency Medical Service, Albany County Advanced Life Support Unit, Western Turnpike Rescue Squad, and the Five Quad Ambulance from the University at Albany, all responded to the accident.

Albert was unconscious but still alive after he was extracted from the vehicle, said the Western Turnpike Rescue Squad’s chief of operations, Howard Huth.
"He was in pretty bad shape," Huth added.

Police say Albert was pronounced dead shortly after he arrived at the hospital.

Suda was picked up by Guilderland Police from Albany Medical Center and transported back to the Guilderland Police Station later that evening. He was arraigned by Town Judge Denise Randall on six charges after James Millstien was appointed as his representative. He has been remanded to Albany County’s jail, with a preliminary hearing being set for Wednesday.

Suda is facing the following charges:

— Criminally negligent homicide, a felony;

— Second-degree vehicular homicide, a felony;

— Reckless endangerment, a felony;

— Driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor;

— Third-degree assault, a misdemeanor; and

— Various vehicle and traffic charges.

Funk said the blood test for Suda’s blood-alcohol level has not yet been returned and that other charges may be pending.

Funk referred to Suda and Albert as friends. The Enterprise submitted a Freedom of Information Law request to the Guilderland Police to see if Suda has a history of driving while intoxicated or had previous arrests — Guilderland Police found no records at their department.

Lieutenant Curtis Cox of the Guilderland Police was asked about the number of fatalities on Western Avenue or if the Crossgates area was problematic when it came to traffic accidents. He did not have the proper statistical information available to him at the time.
"Off of the top of my head, without statistical numbers in front of me, I personally don’t believe that area of Western Avenue is any more problematic than any other part," Cox said.