Ohio man accused of shooting at occupied tractor-trailer on I-90 near Cheektowaga

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An Ohio man was arrested Monday after he allegedly shot at a tractor-trailer occupied by three people while driving on I-90 near Cheektowaga, New York State Police announced.

Police said the alleged shooting took place around 7:45 a.m. Monday on westbound I-90 just before the I-290 split. They also received reports of a hit-and-run side swipe crash involving a tractor-trailer suspected in the shooting and a passenger car while en route.

Officers stopped the tractor-trailer, operated by 26-year-old Dylan J. Cottingham of Sullivan, Ohio, on Union Road and took him into custody. A search warrant was obtained for the tractor-trailer, and a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun as well as multiple magazines were located.

Troopers responded to the area of the shooting near Exit 50, where the victim tractor-trailer had pulled over. A female driver, a female passenger and a 10-year-old girl were all inside the vehicle during the shooting, with the child sleeping in the truck’s cab. Multiple bullet holes were located on the vehicle, including one in “very close” proximity to the sleeping child, according to police.

Cottingham was charged with:

• Attempted murder
• Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon
• First-degree reckless endangerment
• Third-degree criminal mischief
• Second-degree menacing

The 26-year-old, who does possess a pistol permit for the State of Ohio, was remanded at the Erie County Holding Center without bail.

Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the WIVB News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here .