Valatie, New York – On June 14, 2021, the New York State Police from the Livingston barracks began investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Main Street and Church Street in the village of Valatie involving a pedestrian.

At approximately 12:18 p.m., Troopers were waved down by good Samaritans who alerted them to collision between a vehicle and pedestrian at the intersection of Main Street and Church Street.  The Valatie Rescue Squad was dispatched to the scene by Columbia County 911 and transported the pedestrian to Albany Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

Initial investigation indicates a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser operated by David L. Parlman, age 26, of Chatham, NY, was eastbound on Main Street and made a left-hand turn onto Church Street.  Parlam for unknown reasons struck Joan E. Gavigan, aged 77 years, of Valatie, who was walking west on Main Street inside a marked pedestrian crosswalk.

Joan Gavigan unfortunately succumbed to her injuries and was later pronounced deceased by the attending physician at Albany Medical Center.

This investigation remains ongoing.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Valatie Fire Department were also on scene rendering aid.