Washington Avenue Extension was closed for several hours between Fuller Road and Crossgates Mall after a head-on accident kills one and injuries two.

The accident occurred on the overpass of the I-87 thruway just before the Crossgates Mall Ramp at 9pm Friday night.

Albany Police say that Joseph Jenkins, 77 of Colonie, was driving his Chrysler Sebring East in the westbound lane when he collided with a minivan taxi.  The force of the crash forced the car up on the median divider and Jenkins was killed instantly.

Two women, Olga Casey and Patricia Healy, were injured in the minivan. Casey sustained two broken legs and a severed ankle.  Healy sustained chest and hip pain.  Both victims were taken to Albany Med. 

Albany Police are not sure why Jenkins was traveling the wrong way but suspect alcohol consumption was a factor.