Executive Summary
- Patricia A. Balcom, 80, of Chatham, was identified by State Police as the victim of a fatal crash in Nassau, New York.
- The head-on collision occurred Monday afternoon on U.S. Route 20 when an eastbound vehicle crossed into the westbound lane.
- The driver of the other vehicle was hospitalized with serious injuries, and the incident remains under active investigation.
State Police have identified an 80-year-old woman from Chatham as the victim of a fatal head-on vehicle collision that occurred Monday afternoon on U.S. Route 20 in Nassau, Rensselaer County. The crash prompted the temporary closure of a major roadway as authorities began their investigation.
According to investigators, Patricia A. Balcom, 80, was driving westbound at approximately 2 p.m. when an eastbound vehicle crossed the center line and struck her vehicle. The collision took place on a stretch of the highway between State Route 66 and Kinderhook Lane. Ms. Balcom was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the eastbound vehicle sustained serious injuries and was transported to Albany Medical Center for treatment. Officials reported on Wednesday that the individual was hospitalized and listed in stable condition. The section of U.S. Route 20 was closed to traffic for approximately four hours on Monday, reopening around 6 p.m.
The incident remains under active investigation by the New York State Police. No further details regarding the cause of the crash have been released, and no charges have been announced at this time.