Fusco still waiting to be tried for fatal crash

RENSSELAER >> It’s been one year since a crash in East Greenbush took the life of a 22-year- old, and the former Rensselaer police officer who allegedly caused it is still awaiting trial.

Mark Fusco was charged following the early morning accident, during which time sources say he had a BAC level of .22 - nearly three times the legal limit.

On March 13, 2013 around 5 a. m., police received several calls about a car that struck a tree on Third Avenue Extension at the Rensselaer City line near the intersection of Grove Street. As a result, Sean Murphy of Slingerlands was killed after he was ejected from the car. A cause of

death investigation performed by Rensselaer County Medical Examiner Michael Sikirica revealed he was killed due to “multiple traumatic blunt force injuries” after Fusco’s 2012 Volkswagen slammed into the tree, according to East Greenbush police.

Fusco, the son of the Rensselaer Police Chief Rick Fusco, was taken to Albany Medical Center where he was later arrested.

The case has been adjourned until April, when attorneys will conference with Judge Debra Young.

“We’ve been negotiating to resolve the case without a trial,” said District Attorney Art Glass. “A grand jury could hear this case if our negotiations fall apart, if we are unable to reach a negotiated plea disposition that’s acceptable to all parties.”

Glass said Fusco was seriously injured in the crash but has recovered to some extent.

After the crash, Fusco was charged with DWI and several vehicle and traffic violations.

He was later charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and manslaughter.

Michael Shanley of the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s office is prosecuting the case.