HUDSON — An Orange County man killed Friday in a two-vehicle crash in the town of Claverack might have suffered a medical issue before the accident, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said.
William Healy, 56, of Walden, was driving a 2013 Honda Ridgeline south on Route 66 when he crossed the yellow line and struck a vehicle traveling north, the sheriff’s office said Monday in a news release.
The second vehicle, a 2024 Peterbilt tow truck, was being driven by Kacey Gilchrist, 26, of Ellington, Connecticut, the sheriff’s office said.
Members of the Greenport Rescue Squad, Claverack firefighters and deputy sheriffs performed life-saving measures on Healy at the scene before he was taken to Columbia Memorial Health.
Healy was later pronounced dead by doctors at the hospital, the sheriff’s office said. The cause of death was determined to be a medical emergency that may have occurred before the crash.
Gilchrist refused medical attention and did not report any injuries, the sheriff’s office said.
According to the sheriff’s office investigation, Healy’s vehicle completely crossed over into the northbound lane, striking and breaking a Verizon telephone pole after colliding with the tow truck.
The telephone pole did not support any power lines, but telecommunications lines were in the highway and made it impossible for traffic to pass.
Route 66 was closed to traffic between Fish and Game Road and Stottville Road for about six hours after the crash. The highway fully reopened at about 4:40 p.m., the sheriff’s office said.
The New York State Department of Transportation assisted with the road closure at the scene. The Claverack Fire Department, Columbia County Fire Coordinators Office assisted the sheriff’s office at the crash scene.
On Friday, at about 10:05 a.m., the sheriff’s office was sent by Columbia County 911 to investigate a reported automobile accident on Route 66 near the intersection with Fish and Game Road. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found two vehicles were involved and one of the drivers was seriously injured. Verizon sent crews to the scene to replace the damaged pole and reconnect the lines.