Altona, NY (November 9, 2026) – William A. Conway, 40, of Ellenburg Depot, died after a head-on collision on Military Turnpike, according to New York State Police. Three other people, including a 9-month-old, were taken to the hospital.
State Police responded to Military Turnpike in the town of Altona at approximately 3:15 p.m. on November 9 for a reported two-vehicle head-on collision. The investigation determined that Conway was driving a red 2012 Nissan Altima north on Military Turnpike with a 9-month-old male passenger. Conway entered the southbound lane in an attempt to pass another vehicle and struck an oncoming tan 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, police said.
Denise A. Patnode, 70, of Chateaugay, was driving the Equinox. Donna Dumas, 66, also of Chateaugay, was a passenger in the Equinox.
Multiple fire and rescue departments responded, including personnel from Ellenburg, Altona, Clinton, and Morrisonville. Conway was extricated from the vehicle, and emergency personnel started life-saving measures. Despite those efforts, the Clinton County Coroner pronounced Conway dead at the scene.
The 9-month-old passenger in the Nissan was taken to University of Vermont Health Network, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), for further medical evaluation. Police said the child has non-life-threatening injuries. Patnode and Dumas were also taken to CVPH for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
Claims After a Head-On Crash in New York When a Driver Has Died
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that frontal impacts accounted for 59% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2024. EPTL § 11-3.2 says an injury claim is not lost because of the death of the person liable.
The case can go forward against that driver’s personal representative. No-fault reimburses basic economic loss, up to $50,000 per person (Insurance Law § 5102(a)). A claim for pain and suffering requires a serious injury under Insurance Law § 5102(d).
For the three people injured on Military Turnpike and their families, these steps and deadlines matter most:
- First steps: Send written notice to your no-fault insurer within 30 days of the crash, by December 9, 2026. Follow up with your own doctor, since some injuries only show up days later. Request the State Police crash report, keep every medical bill and missed-work record, and hold off on recorded insurer statements.
- Who may be liable: State Police say the Nissan entered the southbound lane. Claims by the people in the Equinox would ordinarily be directed at the estate of the Nissan’s driver and his liability insurer. Your own policy may also carry supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist (SUM) coverage, which is optional in New York (Insurance Law § 3420(f)(2)).
- Deadlines: Injury claims generally must be filed within three years, by November 9, 2029 (CPLR § 214). The clock on a child’s own claim is tolled until the child turns 18 (CPLR § 208). A wrongful death claim has two years from the date of death, until November 9, 2028 (EPTL § 5-4.1).
Speak With Car Accident Lawyers at Stanley Law
Stanley Law Offices represents injured people across Upstate New York. Our Upstate New York car accident attorneys handle head-on collision claims against drivers and insurers. The Watertown office is the closest to Clinton County, and virtual consultations are available, so distance does not have to stand between you and answers.
We take over the insurance calls, gather the evidence, and track every deadline. We pursue every source of recovery, including a driver’s estate and any policy that applies, so you can focus on healing. There is no pressure to decide anything now, and you can call when you are ready.
What North Country families hurt in a head-on crash get with Stanley Law Offices:
- Serving Upstate New York families for 45+ years
- Joe Stanley, Board Certified in Civil Trial Practice by the American Board of Trial Advocacy
- Super Lawyers recognition for 18+ consecutive years
- 4.7-star rating across 900+ verified reviews
- Offices in Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, Watertown, Oneonta, and Montrose, PA
- Available 24/7
- No recovery, no fee
