(Update 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 15) — A woman was killed in the head-on Route 13 crash Friday involving multiple vehicles. The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a driver who sustained serious injuries and was airlifted was Kathleen Downes, 63, of Dryden. An obituary published on Bangs Funeral Home‘s website says Downes passed away unexpectedly April 12.
A public celebration of her life is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 17 at the Ithaca Children’s Garden.
(Updated 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 12) – This story has been updated with information from the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office.
TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. – Route 13 southbound reopened to traffic at about 3:45 p.m. Friday, after it was closed from Warren Road to Triphammer Road following multi-vehicle crash.
Tompkins County dispatch received a report of the crash at about 2 p.m. Friday.
According to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, a vehicle traveling north on Rt. 13 struck another northbound vehicle while merging from the right lane into the fast lane. The merging car then crossed the median into the southbound lanes, where it struck two vehicles head-on.
The driver of the merging vehicle sustained serious injuries, according to the sheriff’s office, and was transported to Upstate Medical Center by a LifeNet helicopter.
Other minor injuries were reported. The airport’s Crash, Fire and Rescue Team, Bangs Ambulance and the Lansing Fire Department provided medical assistance.
The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, Cayuga Heights Police and New York State Police responded to the scene.
Featured image: Provided photo.