3 Injured In Three Car Accident in Vernon
03 February 2012
Vernon, NY – February 3, 2012
Oneida based state police investigated a three car personal injury accident on State Route 5 between Hawthorne Drive and Youngs Road in the Town of Vernon which occurred at approximately 3:42 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, February 1. Beatrice H. Jones, age 79, of Route 5, Vernon was driving her 2008 Chevrolet eastbound on State Route 5 followed by a 2005 Toyota Prius operated by Alex P. Dudajek, age 87, of Clinton Street, New York Mills when Jones stopped to allow oncoming traffic to pass before making a left turn into her driveway. Dudajek failed to observe the Jones vehicle stopped in the eastbound lane and struck the Jones vehicle in the rear. The force of the impact caused the Jones vehicle to enter the westbound lane of Route 5 and into the path of a westbound 2008 Ford van operated by Joseph F. Verro, age 60, of Center Street, Canastota. The Verro vehicle struck the Jones vehicle and travelled off the north side of the roadway, where it overturned onto its roof in a ditch. Beatrice Jones was trapped inside of her vehicle and had to be extricated by members of the Vernon Fire Department using hydraulic tools. Jones was transported by Vineall Ambulance to St. Elizabeth’s Trauma Center in Utica, where she was treated for broken bones and internal injuries. Dudajek complained of chest pain at the scene and was transported by private vehicle to Faxton Hospital in Utica for treatment. A passenger in the Verro vehicle, David P. Hart, age 55, was treated at the scene for lacerations to his hand and transported by private vehicle to Oneida Healthcare for further evaluation. Alex Dudajek was issued a traffic ticket for speed not reasonable and prudent returnable in the Town of Vernon Court on February 15, 2012.
