Saratoga Springs Police Department

5 Lake Avenue Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 (518) 584-1800 GREGORY J. VEITCH Chief of Police
Serving Since 1887

Assistant Chief of Police

08/26/2013 From: Lt. John Catone Re: Lake Ave Fatal Accident At 5:27pm on Friday August 23rd, 2013, the Saratoga Springs Police Department received a 911 call reporting a serious personal injury accident at the intersection of Weibel Ave and Lake Ave in the City of Saratoga Springs. The caller stated there was a tractor-trailer and a bicyclist involved in the accident. Officers responded to the scene and found a tractor-trailer in the center median on Lake Ave between Weibel Ave and Gilbert Road. The bicyclist was located under the trailer between the front and rear axles. The accident investigation shows the tractor-trailer, registered to Ryder Truck Rental, leased by LogisticsOne Transportation, and being operated by Kerry Williams, Age 47, Main Street, Corinth, was traveling east on Lake Ave / Rt 29, from Saratoga Springs to Greenwich to make a delivery. The bicyclist, Justin Price, Age 20, Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, was also traveling east on Lake Ave / Rt. 29, from NYRA where he was employed to another place of employment in the exit 15 area. Williams had observed Price riding his bicycle on the right shoulder of the roadway and had already began breaking and moving over away from Price. The investigation shows Price began drifting in to the eastbound driving lane and as he did so Williams continued to slow and take evasive measures to move the tractor-trailer away from Price. Price continued to drift across the driving lane and ultimately struck the passenger side front tire of the tractor-trailer. The impact pushed Price away from the tractor-trailer and despite the evasive actions being taken by Williams to avoid Price, Price drifted back toward the tractor-trailer striking the dual rear tires of the tractors cab and came to rest under the trailer portion of the vehicle. A witness to the accident who is a registered nurse began to immediately treat Price and was joined a few minutes later by Saratoga Springs FD Paramedics. Price was taken by helicopter to Albany Medical Center where he passed away from his injuries at 8:30pm. The cause of death is listed as massive head trauma. Williams was taken to Saratoga Hospital and treated for trauma. Williams and LogisticsOne Transportation have cooperated fully with law enforcement since the accident, a post-crash commercial vehicle inspection was done at the accident scene by law enforcement and no violations were found. At this time in the investigation alcohol does not appear to be a factor on the part of Williams or Price, but official toxicology results wont be available for about four weeks. Speed is also not a factor at this time. Based on the investigation and witness accounts, it appears Price became distracted and unintentionally drifted in to the path of the tractor-trailer. At this time no tickets will be issued, the investigation will continue. Lt. John Catone Investigation Division
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