William “Bill” Conway, 40, of Ellenburg Depot, was killed Monday afternoon after his Nissan Altima collided head-on with an oncoming SUV on Military Turnpike in Altona, Clinton County, New York. A 9-month-old boy who was riding with him survived the crash but was taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. Two women in the other vehicle were also injured.
The crash happened around 3:15 p.m. November 9 in the Town of Altona, according to New York State Police. Investigators said Conway was driving a red 2012 Nissan Altima north on Military Turnpike with the infant inside when he entered the southbound lane while attempting to pass another vehicle.
His attempt to overtake the vehicle ended in a devastating collision. The Nissan moved into the path of an oncoming Chevrolet Equinox driven by 70-year-old Denise A. Patnode of Chateaugay. The two vehicles struck each other head-on, leaving both cars badly involved in the crash.
Patnode was traveling with 66-year-old Donna Dumas, also of Chateaugay, who was riding as a passenger in the Equinox. Both women suffered injuries, although authorities said their conditions were not life-threatening.
Conway was trapped inside the wrecked Nissan and had to be extricated by emergency responders. Crews worked to free him and immediately began life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 9-month-old boy was taken to University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, commonly known as CVPH, for further medical evaluation. Patnode and Dumas were also transported to the same hospital. All three survivors were reported to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Several fire and rescue departments responded to the scene, including emergency personnel from Ellenburg, Altona, Clinton and Morrisonville. Their crews worked alongside other responders as they dealt with the wreckage and assisted those involved.
State Police said Tuesday that the investigation remained ongoing. Authorities have not released a specific address or intersection for the collision. For now, the known location is Military Turnpike in the Town of Altona, Clinton County, in northeastern New York.
For Conway’s family and those who knew him, the crash brought a sudden and painful loss. A trip along a local roadway ended with one person dead and three others hospitalized, including an infant who survived the collision.