Syracuse-area Thruway worker killed when SUV crashes into tow trucks on highway
By Ken Sturtz | ksturtz@syracuse.com
on October 28, 2016 at 3:58 PM, updated October 28, 2016 at 4:10 PM
DANUBE, N.Y. -- A Thruway worker died Friday after he was hit by an SUV on the Thruway in Herkimer County while helping recover a vehicle, the New York State Police said.
The accident occurred at 8:15 a.m. on Interstate 90 east in the town of Danube, between the Herkimer (Exit 30) and Little Falls (Exit 29A) exits.
Two tow trucks accompanied by a Thruway maintenance truck were on the shoulder of the highway removing a vehicle from a previous accident.
State police said a Ford Escape going east sideswiped one of the tow trucks and hit Thruway worker Ronald C. Deming. The Escape became airborne after hitting the other tow truck and then ended up in the center median.
Deming, 58, of Little Falls, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Herkimer County coroner, state police said.
The driver of the Escape, Matthew Jarvinen, 31, and his passenger, Danielle L. Holmes, 31, both of Maine, suffered minor injuries. They were taken to the hospital. The drivers of the two tow trucks were not injured.
State police said troopers with the Collision Reconstruction Unit was continuing to investigate the crash.
Deming was a construction equipment heavy operator who worked out of the Syracuse division of the Thruway. He had worked for the Thruway Authority for more than 20 years.
===
Syracuse-area Thruway worker killed while helping motorist
By Samantha House | shouse@syracuse.com
on October 28, 2016 at 12:11 PM, updated October 28, 2016 at 2:11 PM
DANUBE, N.Y. -- A Syracuse-area Thruway worker was killed early this morning as he helped recover a passenger car along the highway in Herkimer County, officials said.
Ronald C. Deming, 58, a construction equipment heavy operator who worked out of the Syracuse division of the Thruway, was killed in a crash on Interstate 90 east, the Thruway Authority said. He had worked for the Thruway for more than 20 years.
"Day in and day out, our maintenance crews are on our roadway to ensure the safety of motorists and Ron's death deeply touches us all," said Thruway executive director Bill Finch. "The entire Thruway family mourns his loss and will keep his wife Sally and his daughters Leah and Nicole in our thoughts and prayers during this tremendously difficult time."
The accident happened around 8:15 a.m. Friday on Interstate 90 East in Danube between the Herkimer (Exit 30) and Little Falls (Exit 29A) exits, said the New York State Police.
Investigators remain on scene. State Police said more information will be released when it becomes available, troopers said.
The right lane of I-90 east was blocked near the accident scene, reported the Thruway Authority. Traffic was moving slowly.