UPDATE: 1 Death in 5-Car Crash on I-84 Caused By Inattentive Driver: Police

UPDATE: Danbury resident David Patton died as a result of the injuries he sustained in a 5-car collision Monday on I-84. The crash remains under investigation. New York State Police are asking that anyone with information regarding the crash contact the Brewster Bureau of Criminal Investigation by calling (845) 677-7300.

SOUTHEAST, NY – The crash that closed I-84 westbound for several hours on Monday was caused by an inattentive driver, police said. Four people were hospitalized, one with life-threatening injuries.

At about 12:42 p.m. July 17, New York State Police were dispatched to a five-car personal injury auto collision that occurred on Interstate 84 westbound in the area of exit 20. They said their investigation indicated that Nancy A. Scott, 64, of Carmel, New York, was traveling westbound on I-84 and failed to observe the vehicles in front of her slowing down for traffic.

Scott struck the rear of a Toyota Avalon, operated by Linda Laboy, 64, of Danbury, Connecticut. Laboy’s vehicle subsequently struck the rear of a BMW operated by Elizabeth Draus, 53, of Amsterdam, New York. Draus’ vehicle rear-ended a Jeep Wrangler operated by Gregory J. Chiovitti, 60, of Thomaston, Connecticut. As a result, Chiovitti’s vehicle struck the rear of an International Harvester operated by Ricky Hartung, 54, of Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania.

Laboy’s passengers, 96-year-old John Patton and Lois R. McKee, 67, of Danbury, Connecticut, suffered from serious injuries and were transported to Danbury Hospital. David R. Patton, 65, was transported to Westchester Medical Center via LifeNet with life-threatening injuries.

Laboy was transported to Danbury Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Hartung, the sole occupant of the tractor trailer, was not injured.

Chiovitti and Draus reported minor injuries and refused further medical attention.

The roadway was closed for several hours while the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit reconstructed the crash. The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit also responded to the scene. Also at the scene of the crash were members of the Brewster Fire Department, Emstar Ambulance and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.