Massive 17-Car Pile Up Temporarily Shuts Down Saw Mill River Parkway in Mount Kisco

A total of 17 vehicles involved in two separate crashes southbound on the Saw Mill River Parkway in Mount Kisco early Wednesday, temporarily shutting down the thruway for more than two hours during the morning rush.

Several factors, including darkness, contributed to the crashes as vehicles quickly slammed into each other just before 7 a.m., according to Westchester County Police.

Six people were treated at area hospitals but none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, police said.

The crashes started just south of the Route 133 exit. No charges were filed in relation to the accidents, but one driver was cited for operating a vehicle without a license.

Below is the account of the accidents from Westchester County Police spokesperson Kieran O’Leary:

At 6:40 a.m., an SUV driving southbound on the Saw Mill just south of the Route 133 exit lost control on a curve, went off the road onto an adjacent embankment and flipped on its side, sliding back into the right lane of travel. It struck another vehicle that was passing by. The SUV driver said he hit the brakes going around the curve because of a slower moving vehicle in front of him. He did not say any slippery conditions were a factor.

Other cars coming upon the accident scene came to a stop, but those cars where then rear-ended by other cars rounding the curve. A few of those drivers said their vehicles slid a little as they braked but the vast majority of those involved said the blind curve, and not weather conditions, were the reason they could not stop in time.

In all, 17 cars were damaged in the pileup. Six people were taken to hospitals with neck and back injuries that were non-life-threatening in nature.

One driver was given ticket for no having a valid license but no summonses were issued in connection with the crash.

The road reopened about 9:10 or 9:15 a.m.

Patch file photo.