BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- The man who hit and killed a state trooper with his vehicle Thursday on Interstate 81 did so intentionally.

Almond Upton, 60, of Melrose, Fla., will likely face a charge of first-degree murder in the death of 42-year-old Trooper Christopher G. Skinner, the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin reported.

Around noon Thursday Skinner was outside his marked state police patrol car conducting a traffic stop on I-81, north of Exit 6 between Chenango Bridge and Castle Creek in Broome County.

Upton had already side-swiped two other vehicles when he crossed lanes to hit Skinner. Upton was driving from Florida to Connecticut to visit his mother, Time Warner Cable News reported.

Almond Upton

Upton's vehicle continued on a short distance before he stopped and fled into a nearby wooded area. State police said a search was begun and that Upton was taken into custody by troopers just after 1 p.m.

The Press & Sun-Bulletin reported that Upton was tracked down by dogs and found naked.

Police said it did not appear Upton was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He was previously convicted of DWI in Florida.