UPDATE (2:20 p.m. Monday) — This story was updated with additional information from Ithaca College.
CAROLINE, N.Y. – Snowy conditions Monday morning likely contributed to a fatal crash in Caroline, police say, after a driver lost control of her car and crossed into the path of an oncoming pick-up truck.
The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash on the 700 block of Valley Road at about 7:30 a.m. Monday. Deputies found a GMC Sierra with heavy front damage and a severely damaged Ford Focus.
The driver and sole occupant of the Ford Focus, Kelly Anne Perkins, 19, of Berkshire, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Perkins was a first-year Ithaca College student and daughter of longtime Ithaca College employees Enoch and Debbie Perkins, the college said in a message to the community Monday. She was enrolled in the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance and was a student employee in Residential Life and Parking Services.
Ithaca College President Shirley Collado offered her condolences to the family and campus community in a statement.
“This is devastating news and I ask that you please join me in holding Enoch and Debbie, and their son Eric, deeply in our thoughts and in our hearts, as well as all members of Kelly’s family, friends, classmates, fellow first-year students, and professors. Over the coming days in particular, please be sure to seek support as you need it, and take care of yourselves and those around you,” Collado wrote.
A campus memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Muller Chapel. Collado reminded students, faculty and staff that support services are available through the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (607-274-3136) and the Employee Assistance Program (1-800-327-2255).
While the crash remains under investigation, the sheriff’s office said it determined Perkins lost control on the snowy road and entered the path of the truck. Bangs Ambulance, Brooktondale Fire and Slaterville Fire assisted at the scene.