A New York State Trooper was struck and killed by a motorist on Thursday afternoon, and state police are now saying that he was hit intentionally. Trooper Christopher Skinner was struck by 60-year-old Almond Upton of Melrose, Florida, and Upton is now being charged with first degree murder.
Skinner had pulled over a black BMW for speeding on Interstate 81 northbound around noon on Thursday, just north of Exit 6 between Chenango Bridge and Castle Creek. While Skinner was out of his vehicle to issue a ticket, he was struck by a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck driven by Upton, killing Skinner instantly. According to reports, Upton moved from the passing lane to the driving lane in order to hit Skinner and the stopped BMW, later admitting to police that he did so intentionally. The driver of the BMW was uninjured. Police have not released a possible motive for Upton to hit Skinner. Upton had also sideswiped two other vehicles prior to striking Skinner, and those incidents caused minor injuries for at least one of the other drivers. After Upton’s pickup hit Skinner, he continued on I-81 before stopping and attempting to flee on foot. He was found following a brief search by police dogs in a heavily wooded area off the interstate, where he was found naked. Police said that it did not appear Upton was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but they were unsure his mental state. The investigation is ongoing. Upton’s record includes a conviction out of Florida in 2008 for driving under the influence, resulting in his license being revoked for six months. Trooper Skinner was a 13-year veteran of the state police, and is survived by his mother, Sharyn, brother, Shawn, fiancee, Surrena, and two children, 15-year-old Kyle and 12-year-old Erin. Funeral arrangements for Skinner are expected to be announced in the coming days.
