Local News
John Piwowarski and his wife Janet Piwowarski killed in Columbia County crash
CRARYVILLE, N.Y. — The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that claimed the lives of two individuals Thursday afternoon in the Town of Copake.
According to Sheriff Jacqueline Salvatore, deputies, along with members of the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Branch, were dispatched by Columbia County 911 at approximately 3:14 p.m. on April 16 to the scene of a serious collision at the intersection of County Route 7 and State Route 23.
Preliminary findings indicate that a 2022 Subaru Outback, operated by 78-year-old John Piwowarski of Hillsdale, entered the intersection from County Route 7 onto State Route 23.
At that time, an eastbound tanker truck traveling on State Route 23 collided with the Subaru.
The tanker truck, owned by GRJH, Inc. of Millerton and operated by Robert D. Fore of Cohoes, was transporting approximately 7,000 gallons of gasoline at the time of the crash.
John Piwowarski was pronounced deceased at the scene.
His wife, 76-year-old Janet K. Piwowarski, who was also in the vehicle, was transported by Community Rescue to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The driver of the tanker truck, Fore, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was also transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Authorities confirmed that the incident remains under active investigation by Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies, investigators, and the Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Team.
No additional details have been released at this time.
Local News
Train Derails in Ferguson Involving Vehicles, Hazmat Team Called Over Ethyl Alcohol Rail Car
FERGUSON, Mo. — A train derailment involving vehicles prompted an emergency response in Ferguson on Ferguson Avenue, where authorities requested a hazardous materials team after determining that one of the train cars contained ethyl alcohol.
Emergency units were dispatched to 617 Ferguson Avenue after reports of the rail incident. Responders found a train that had derailed with vehicles involved.
Officials confirmed there was no reported entrapment. Crews were checking the scene for injuries and evaluating those involved in the incident.
A Hazmat response was requested because one rail car involved in the derailment was carrying ethyl alcohol. Emergency crews were assessing the rail car for any potential leak or hazardous condition and working to secure the area.
The presence of ethyl alcohol prompted additional safety precautions while responders examined the derailed train and surrounding vehicles.
At this time, authorities have not released details about possible injuries, the cause of the derailment or the extent of damage.
The investigation and emergency response remain ongoing in Ferguson, and officials are expected to provide additional information once the scene has been fully assessed.