NEWBURGH -- A New York State Trooper avoided death Thursday night on the New York State Thruway when he was nearly struck by a northbound tractor-trailer.

The 20 year veteran, stationed out of the Thruway Newburgh barracks, was stopped on the right shoulder of the Thruway with emergency lights activated, standing next to a car talking with the driver he had pulled over for speeding.

While looking toward oncoming traffic he saw a tractor trailer driven by, Matthew Pearlstein of South Grafton, Massachusetts driving towards his Troop car. The tractor trailer struck the Troop car, breaking off the side mirror, then swerved, nearly striking the Trooper, who had pressed himself in as close as possible to the stopped vehicle to avoid being struck.

The tractor-trailer then continued and was stopped about one mile north by State Police. Pearlstein was later arrested for reckless endangerment in the first degree, and several other vehicle and traffic violations.