ROTTERDAM, N.Y. (AP) — Drivers in Massachusetts are familiar with the desolate and barren stretches of Interstate 88 in neighboring New York. The highway covers over 120 miles between Rotterdam and Binghamton, making it a mundane drive in The Empire State.
I-88 is also known as a paradise for speeders, as State Troopers are not patrolling the area as they do on the neighboring New York State Thruway. However, the desolate nature of the highway has also been the backdrop for a horrific crime that occurred over three decades ago.
In July of 1991, Diane L. Hoppert, en-route to Albany for a work seminar, ran out of gas at mile marker 107 on the northbound side of I-88 in the town of Duanesburg. A Michigan truck driver approached her under the guise of coming to aid, but instead kidnapped, robbed, and sexually assaulted Hoppert, ultimately leading to her death.
The Michigan truck driver, Alex Vega, was quickly arrested and extradited to New York. In the end, he was sentenced to 44 years to life in prison for the unspeakable crime, showing no remorse for his actions.
The desolate nature of I-88 serves as a grim reminder to beware of surroundings and trust no one who raises suspicion. Authorities advise calling 9-1-1 or an auto club for assistance in such situations.
The memory of Diane Hoppert remains everlasting as a cautionary tale for travelers, and her tragic story continues to resonate in the minds of those familiar with the desolate stretch of I-88 in New York.