ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Community members shared more Tuesday about the man who died in a wrong way crash in Albany early Sunday morning. Eric Hurley, worked at Albany Water for eight years — his coworkers shared that his work ethic, kindness and laughter will be greatly missed.
“His focus on his career, it’s that ‘rare diamond in the rough’ type of person that is that engaged and focused on building something better for themselves,” said Joe DeGiovine.
That rare diamond, was Eric Hurley. Hurley worked alongside Joe DeGiovine, Trent Shaver and Joe Rysedorph at Albany Water. Together however, they were more like family than coworkers.
“It was surreal, you know this is somebody who we work with. We have a culture here at the plant of a working relationship but also being family, you know, your work family are people that you spend more time with than your family at home,” said DeGiovine.
38-year-old Eric Hurley was identified as the victim in a wrong-way crash on 787 near Exit 2 last Sunday. State police said a car was driving the wrong way around 4:30 a.m. and crashed head on into Hurley’s vehicle. Hurley was declared dead on the scene.
“You think a million different things, you hope that’s not the car, you hope it’s a mistake,” said DeGiovine.
The three men believe Hurley could’ve been on his way to work, citing that his work ethic was strong. Last year, Hurley was promoted to assistant chief operator at Albany Water, and just last month he was promoted to chief operator in Watervliet.
“And chief operator was not his last stop. He talked regularly to us about potentially becoming a commissioner someday,” said DeGiovine.
As a man with big dreams, Hurley dedicated much of his time to his work. However, they noted he still made time for some fun and games.
“Eric liked to, he was the jokester, he liked to joke around, a lot of office pranks,” said Trent Shaver.
Whether Hurley was surprising Shaver with Starbucks, or simply hard at work, Shaver knew Hurley was always someone he could always count on.
“If you wanted something done, he was your guy,” said Shaver. “Eric truly believed in portable drinking water and putting out a good product like from the depths of his heart that’s what he thought.”
DeGiovine considered himself a mentor to Hurley throughout his career. Right now, he wishes he could tell Hurley how much he impressed him over the years.
“I’d like for him, I hope he knew that I was proud of him,” said DeGiovine.
State police said the driver of the wrong-way car is 44-year-old Lewis Thomas from Coxsackie. He is currently still in the hospital. Police have not announced any charges at this time.
