A Seneca Falls woman was killed and three others were hopsitalized Thursday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash on state Route 89 near Willow Point Road, northwest of Ithaca in Tompkins County. Several crash victims were trapped in their vehicles and rescued by emergency workers.
State troopers told the news media that at about 3:20 p.m., a Chrysler Pacifica minivan, driven by Kathleen M. Cole, 53, of Seneca Falls, was traveling south on Route 89 when the vehicle crossed the centerline of the two-lane highway and struck a northbound Toyota Camry driven by Jennifer L. Myers, 57, of Trumansburg, and then struck a Chevrolet Camaro driven by Jonathan P. Hockenjos, 30, of Sayreville, N.J.
Marguerite Cole, 86, a passenger in the minivan, was pronounced dead at the scene. Kathleen Cole was flown to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, according to state troopers.
Myers, the driver of the Camry, was not injured but Hockenjos and his 19-year-old passenger, Sabina R. Marra, 19, of New York City, were also flown to Upstate University Hospital.
State police said the three victims were in surgery Friday and did not release any information about their conditions during the weekend.
Three helicopters responded to the scene. Two landed at Taughannock Falls State Park and one landed at Cayuga Medical Center.
New York State Police continue to investigate the crash but said the Chrysler Pacifica crossed into the other lane, causing the initial crash. The driver of the Camaro, in trying to avoid the minivan, moved into the southbound lane at the same time the minivan returned to the southbound lane and the vehicles collided head-on.
Trumansburg Fire Department and Ambulance, Bangs Ambulance. and the Ithaca Fire Department also were working at the scene for several hours after the crash.
Crashes occurring when a vehicle crosses over into the oncoming lane are some of the most dangerous that exist. The combined velocity of the two vehicles moving toward each other results in extreme high-energy collisions. Unfortunately, the proliferation of technology in vehicles and handheld electronic devices makes today’s drivers more distracted than ever before. It only takes an instant of inattention for a distracted driver to cross over the centerline, and the results can be deadly.
Our thoughts are with all of the individuals and families affected by this terrible crash.
Thank you for reading,
ZiffLaw Attorney, Esq.
NY and PA Personal Injury and Malpractice Attorney
The Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, NY 14901
Phone: (607)733-8866
Fax: (607)732-6062
Email: info@zifflaw.com
www.zifflaw.com
