One Hurt, One Killed in Head-On Crash on New York State Thruway Near Sloatsburg

An elderly woman was recently killed in a tragic head-on crash on the New York State Thruway. According to New York State Police, 76-year-old Madeline Lapides of Monsey died after her 81-year-old husband, Alvin, entered the southbound lanes of the roadway heading north. He reportedly drove for several miles before the couple's Toyota Camry struck a southbound Volvo driven by 17-year-old Gaelyn Ashley near Sloatsburg. Following the collision, Madeline Lapides was pronounced dead at the scene and emergency responders allegedly transported Alvin Lapides to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern. Ashley was reportedly uninjured in the deadly accident.

The exact cause of the fatal collision is still under investigation by a New York State Police collision reconstruction team. Investigators reportedly believe Lapides became confused and disoriented after entering the roadway in the dark. Still, Lapides purportedly passed at least four exits without correcting his driving error. Multiple motorists reportedly notified authorities regarding the wrong-way driver and one state trooper allegedly attempted to intercept the elderly couple's vehicle to no avail. An accident investigator said the Rockland County District Attorney's office is currently weighing whether to file charges against Lapides.

Fatal car accidents like this one may be caused by any number of factors including distracted or impaired motorists and defectively designed roadways. Sadly, driving on any roadway in New York can turn unexpectedly dangerous in an instant. According to the New York Department of Health, almost 1,500 people were killed and more than 15,000 individuals were hurt in traffic wrecks throughout the state each year between 2005 and 2007. Males between 20 and 24 and motorists over the age of 65 were allegedly most likely to die in an automobile accident.

If a loved one was killed due to another person's negligent actions, you may be eligible to recover financial compensation for your loss. The spouse, child, or parent of a person who died in an avoidable accident in the State of New York may receive damages for loss of consortium, the cost of the decedent's medical care, lost benefits and wages, and funeral expenses. Additionally, a family member may recover damages related to the personal injuries suffered by a relative prior to his or her wrongful death by filing a survival action. Because the time frame during which a wrongful death or survival action lawsuit may be filed is limited, you should contact a skilled personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your loss.

At Korngut Paleudis LLC, our knowledgeable New York City personal injury and accident attorneys are ready and willing to help clients who lost a loved one in an unexpected traffic accident achieve the compensation they deserve. With more than 45 years of combined experience, our competent lawyers represent individuals who are located in New York and New Jersey. To discuss your wrongful death or survival action case with a capable personal injury attorney today, please call Korngut Paleudis LLC at (212) 835-6768 in New York City. You may also contact our hardworking lawyers through the law firm's website.

Additional Resources:

Police: Driver went 9 miles wrong way in fatal Thruway crash, by Alex Taylor, lohud.com