(Hastings, NY – Jan. 17, 2013) On Jan. 16 at 10:23 p.m. State Police in Hastings were dispatched to I-81 N/B at the Onondaga /Oswego County line in the Town of Hastings for a report of a multi-car accident.
Preliminary investigation at the scene has determined that a 1996 Dodge Neon, operated by 19- year-old Liberty A. Tanner from 1064 Albion Cross Road in Pulaski was disabled in the center lane of I-81 N/B with no lights. Tanner was on the phone with Onondaga County 911 reporting the matter when her vehicle was struck in the rear by a 2002 Buick Century operated by 17-year-old Alex B. Mills of Altmar.
A 1998 Plymouth Breeze, operated by 17-year-old Michael R. Edinger of Parish slows as it approaches the accident scene and is rear ended by a 2007 Chevy Cobalt driven by 20-year-old Emily Smith of Pulaski. A 2006 Nissan driven by 28-year-old Stefanie Wooding of Fulton enters the accident scene and collides with the rear of the Chevy Cobalt.
Tanner was pronounced deceased at the scene and three other involved parties were transported to University Hospital at Upstate where they were treated and released.
I-81 N/B was closed from exit 31 to exit 32 for several hours while State Police Collision Reconstructive Unit investigated the scene. Investigation is continuing.