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
Two Experienced Skydivers Levi Pimentel and Georgia Jean Killed in Midair Collision Near Lake Elsinore
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. — Two experienced skydivers have died following a tragic midair collision near Lake Elsinore in Southern California after their parachutes became tangled during their final approach to the landing area.
The victims were identified as Levi Pimentel, 29, of Illinois, and Georgia Jean, 56, of South Dakota. Both women died Friday after the accident near Skydive Elsinore, according to information released by the skydiving company.
Officials with Skydive Elsinore said the collision occurred approximately 160 feet above the ground as the two women were approaching the landing area. Following the impact, their parachutes became entangled, preventing them from completing a safe landing.
Emergency responders were dispatched at approximately 11:47 a.m. and found both women near the airfield suffering from critical injuries. They were transported to Inland Valley Medical Center, where both later died.
Skydive Elsinore described Pimentel and Jean as experienced, licensed skydivers who were familiar with the sport.
According to the company, the freefall portion of the jump appeared to proceed normally. Both women reportedly deployed their parachutes at the expected altitude, and officials said there were no indications of equipment failures.
The company also addressed weather conditions at the time of the accident. Winds were reportedly strong, with gusts reaching approximately 20 mph. However, investigators have not determined whether the wind conditions contributed to the collision.
Skydive Elsinore said it was devastated by the deaths of the two women and extended its condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones.
The fatal accident occurred near Lake Elsinore, a city in Riverside County located approximately 70 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation, and officials have not established whether weather or other factors played a role in the incident.