COLUMBIA SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATES FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE TOWN OF HILLSDALE
Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that Sheriff’s Patrols were dispatched by Columbia County 911 at approximately 1:43pm this afternoon to a two-vehicle accident on State Route 22, at the intersection with County Route 21 in the Town of Hillsdale.
Deputy Sheriff’s found that a 2000 Jeep Cherokee, operated by 70-year-old Johanna L. Carrita of Castleton on Hudson NY, was traveling northbound on state Route 22 and turned left onto County Route 21 striking a 2000 BMW motorcycle. The motorcycle, operated by 61-year-old John J. Cronin Jr. of Ghent NY, was traveling southbound on State Route 22 when it was struck by the Jeep. Mr. Cronin was ejected from the motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ms. Carrita was transported to Fairview Hospital in Gt. Barrington Massachusetts for neck pain. There were no passengers in the vehicle.
The accident is still under investigation by Sheriff’s Deputies, Sheriff’s Investigators, and the Sheriff’s Accident/Incident Investigation Unit.
Coroner Blasl is also assisting with the investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday, October 7, 2018, at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady.
State Route 22 was closed for approximately 3 hours during the investigation.
Community Rescue Squad, Hillsdale Fire Company, and the Columbia County Fire Coordinator assisted at the scene.
Investigating for the Sheriff’s Office were Lieutenant Wayne Lopez, Senior Investigator Mark Dunspaugh, Investigator William Dunspaugh, Investigator Ian Boehme, First Sergeant Louis Bray, Deputy Joseph Kilmer, Deputy Peter Merante, and Deputy Matthew Leonard.
