Although the calendar might say differently, winter has arrived in New York. Snow and icy roads have caused numerous accidents in the Albany area this week. Two inches of snow arrived in the Capital Region Monday, causing multiple accidents and long delays throughout the area.
While many of this week’s accidents were slip-and-slide accidents that caused property damage, one of the most serious accidents occurred before this latest round of snow arrived. On Sunday morning, a 20-year-old German Au Pair was killed on Route 22 just north of Austerlitz.
The woman was driving northbound on Route 22 and appeared to lose control of her vehicle in icy conditions. She crossed into the southbound lane and collided with another vehicle head-on. Chatham Rescue took the driver of the southbound vehicle to Berkshire Medical Center.
The woman was pronounced dead on the scene. The collision was investigated by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the New York State Police Reconstruction Unit. Her family in Germany was notified of her death with the help of the German Consulate in New York City.
With winter weather all around and more on the way, it is important to exercise great caution when driving. When temperatures fluctuate around the freezing mark, snow can melt and form dangerous icy patches on the roads. In freezing temperatures, bridges, overpasses and lightly used roads freeze over first. Even at temperatures above 32 degrees, ice can remain on the roads, especially in shady spots. This time of year, the weather can turn a routine trip into an accident.
Sources:
Albany Times Union, “Slick roads slow traffic, cause accidents,” Cathleen Crowley, 12/14/2010
Albany Times Union, “Accident victim was au pair,” Chelsea Kruger, 12/13/2010
Albany Times Union, “Icy roads faulted in fatal accident,” Lauren Stanforth and Rick Karlin, 12/12/2010
