Tuesday, February 3, 2015

TRAGEDY IN RYE, NY: 2 PEOPLE WERE KILLED ON I-95 MONDAY IN RYE, NEW YORK, WHEN THE DRIVER OF A DODGE CARAVAN STRUCK BOTH OF THE MOTORISTS WHO WERE INSPECTING A PRIOR COLLISION, THROWING THEM AGAINST THE BACK OF THE AIRPORT SHUTTLE VAN AND KILLING THEM INSTANTLY





 

TRAGEDY IN RYE, NY: 2 PEOPLE WERE KILLED ON I-95 MONDAY IN RYE, NEW YORK, WHEN THE DRIVER OF A DODGE CARAVAN STRUCK BOTH OF THE MOTORISTS WHO WERE INSPECTING A PRIOR COLLISION, THROWING THEM AGAINST THE BACK OF THE AIRPORT SHUTTLE VAN AND KILLING THEM INSTANTLY


FEBRUARY 3, 2015 

RYE, NEW YORK

Two people were killed in a horrific multi-car crash that closed the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 Monday afternoon, state police said.


The crash, between Exits 21 and 22, was reported just after 1:30 p.m. State police said two drivers in a Lexus sedan and an airport shuttle van were involved in a collision and pulled over to the side of the road.


The two drivers — a man and a woman — were standing by the side of the road inspecting the damage and a trooper had pulled up to the crash when the driver of a Dodge Caravan lost control on the icy highway. The mini-van struck both of the motorists, throwing them against the back of the airport shuttle van and killing them instantly, state police said.


Both were pronounced dead at the scene; the driver of the Dodge Caravan was taken to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. His injuries were described as non-life-threatening.


Investigators are still trying to piece together the chain of events which caused the pile-up. A state police accident investigation reconstruction unit was on scene.


State police were withholding the victims' names pending notification of family. Their names had not been released as of early Tuesday morning.

Traffic backed up to Exit 19. Drivers were diverted from Exit 22 and onto Midland Avenue.


Throughout the afternoon, troopers could be seen standing close to the mangled wreck of one of the vehicles amid heavy snowfall.


It was a treacherous 24 hours for drivers throughout the Lower Hudson Valley as yet another snowstorm brought a mix of rain, sleet and snow to roads and highways Monday.


The evening commute was messy, too, and roads and surfaces were expected to freeze solid as temperatures plunged into the single digits overnight.

We have advised motorists to avoid standing on the road near their cars, as other motorists will strike them with their vehicles.  Similar tragedies have unfortunately occurred many times.  If possible, stay inside your vehicle.  If you have to exit the vehicle, try to stay on the other side of the road where the traffic is located.  Other drivers will be distracted by the accident and will not pay attention to you, unless it is too late.