Police: Fatal accident at Kingdom Hall caused by driver distraction
NORWICH – Last week the New York State Police released their findings in a fatal motor vehicle accident that took the life of a Norwich resident as he left church with his family.
Police said the cause of the accident was driver distraction – although they do not know specifically what that distraction was because the second driver couldn’t recall details.
On July 12, Brian and Teresa Conant along with her mother Iris Delgado were leaving the parking lot of Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall on State Highway 12 in the Town of Norwich. While waiting to enter the roadway, another vehicle heading north veered off the right side of the road and struck Conant’s driver side door, head on.
Brian died of his injuries five days later, July 17, in Wilson Regional Medical Center’s intensive care unit in Johnson City. His wife and step-mother were both listed in critical condition but eventually stabilized and were later released.
The driver of the second vehicle, Clifford G. Williams, 73, of Ilion, was transported by ambulance to Chenango Memorial Hospital, along with 36-year old passenger Jason E. Williams and 7-year old passenger Zachary Williams. All were treated and later released.
Williams was ticketed for moving from the lane unsafely and the investigation ruled the incident a case of driver distraction.
“This was a significant crash and the driver (Williams) was unable to remember the details, other than to say he was distracted,” said Sgt. Elizabeth Wonka Friday.
Police said Williams admitted that he took his eyes from the roadway and put his attention to something else in his vehicle in the moments before the crash.
“He has told us he feels absolutely horrible about this,” added Wonka.
Mark Conant, the victim’s brother, said he had met with investigators over the report.
“The only other options they had was to elevate the incident to a much higher criminal degree,” he said, explaining he was conflicted over the issue.
Mark said prosecutors had told him Williams would lose his license as a result of the findings. “That’s enough, I suppose. Nothing will bring Brian back. I don’t know if any ‘good’ can be found in this situation. The family is doing its best to move forward,” he said.
Police said the cause of the accident was driver distraction – although they do not know specifically what that distraction was because the second driver couldn’t recall details.
On July 12, Brian and Teresa Conant along with her mother Iris Delgado were leaving the parking lot of Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall on State Highway 12 in the Town of Norwich. While waiting to enter the roadway, another vehicle heading north veered off the right side of the road and struck Conant’s driver side door, head on.
Brian died of his injuries five days later, July 17, in Wilson Regional Medical Center’s intensive care unit in Johnson City. His wife and step-mother were both listed in critical condition but eventually stabilized and were later released.
The driver of the second vehicle, Clifford G. Williams, 73, of Ilion, was transported by ambulance to Chenango Memorial Hospital, along with 36-year old passenger Jason E. Williams and 7-year old passenger Zachary Williams. All were treated and later released.
Williams was ticketed for moving from the lane unsafely and the investigation ruled the incident a case of driver distraction.
“This was a significant crash and the driver (Williams) was unable to remember the details, other than to say he was distracted,” said Sgt. Elizabeth Wonka Friday.
Police said Williams admitted that he took his eyes from the roadway and put his attention to something else in his vehicle in the moments before the crash.
“He has told us he feels absolutely horrible about this,” added Wonka.
Mark Conant, the victim’s brother, said he had met with investigators over the report.
“The only other options they had was to elevate the incident to a much higher criminal degree,” he said, explaining he was conflicted over the issue.
Mark said prosecutors had told him Williams would lose his license as a result of the findings. “That’s enough, I suppose. Nothing will bring Brian back. I don’t know if any ‘good’ can be found in this situation. The family is doing its best to move forward,” he said.
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