Ravena Man Indicted For Manslaughter

Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that the 33-year-old man who crashed into motorcyclist Patrick LaFortune Jr. and killed him on Route 9 in July has been charged.

Jacob Snide was arraigned on a four-count indictment Monday in front of the Honorable Andra Ackerman that charges him with Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Assault in the Second Degree and two counts of Reckless Driving.

The indictment alleges that on July 14 at around 5 p.m. on Route 9W in the area of Corning Hill Road in Glenmont, Snide recklessly operated a southbound vehicle when he crossed over the centerline and struck LaFortune, 32, of Schenectady, who was travelling northbound.

LaFortune later died at Albany Medical Center Hospital as a result of injuries from the crash.

The indictment also alleges that Snide was recklessly operating his vehicle earlier in the day when he caused a minor collision in the area of Clinton Avenue and Quail Street about an hour before the fatal crash. Police were never notified of the incident.

Snide was arrested on Sunday by Bethlehem Police on the strength of a sealed indictment. He pleaded not guilty Monday and was remanded without bail to the custody of the Albany County Correctional Facility.

Assistant District Attorneys Elizabeth Jektyan and Katherine Miller of the Vehicular Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.

ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE.