Driver charged with DWI after rollover crash

Monday, September 8, 2025 - 15:05

GUILDERLAND — A two-car rollover crash on the Thruway has led to a drunk-driving charge.

Just after midnight on Sunday, Sept. 7, Benjamin Zirra, 59, was traveling east in the westbound lane of Interstate 90 near Exit 25, when he struck another car, according to a release from State Police.

“Both vehicles rolled over and came to rest on the right shoulder of the embankment,” the release said.

Zirra did not report any injuries and declined medical attention, police said, and the driver of the car he hit and its front-seat passenger were not injured. However, a rear-seat passenger in the struck car was taken by Guilderland EMS to Albany Medical Center for treatment of an injured shoulder.

The responding State Trooper “detected a strong odor of alcohol,” the release said, and Zirra failed field sobriety tests. He was placed into custody for driving while intoxicated.

He is to appear in Guilderland Town Court on Oct. 2.

More Guilderland News

  • From front porch to factory: New press speeds cider production at ILF

    In the 1960s, Indian Ladder Farms at the foot of the Helderbergs began to press cider on the front porch of its barn, according to a farm history written by the late Peter Ten Eyck in the farm’s 105th year.

  • Mayor: ‘I don’t think this increase should stand’

    Altamont Mayor Kerry Dineen said the Enterprise news story was how she and board members learned of the tax hike, and she called for changes going forward. “I don’t think this increase should stand,” Dineen said, suggesting the budget be amended.

  • Dutch Mill Acres allowed to proceed after town board split vote

    As the Guilderland Town Board began its discussion of the 107-unit proposal on Nov. 18, Supervisor Peter Barber said, “I always like to use an analogy to baseball because I think at this step we’re not even in the first inning. This is simply just to accept the application, meaning that we're not approving it.”

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.