Fatal pedestrian crash under investigation in Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- State Police are investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian out of Bethlehem. Police say James Gibson Jr., 36, was struck and succumbed to his injuries on the thruway while walking in the right lane of travel.

On Sunday, around 1:59 a.m., state police responded to the area of Exit 23 on I-87 southbound in Bethlehem for reports of a pedestrian struck by a car. Police say an investigation found Gibson Jr. was walking in the right lane of traffic when a southbound car hit him.

The car stopped immediately and contacted emergency services. Gibson Jr. succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The right lane of I-87 was closed for roughly five and a half hours for the investigation and collision reconstruction. An investigation is ongoing, and police say the driver involved has been entirely cooperative.