Two New York State Police troopers sustained non-life-threatening injuries Tuesday morning when a civilian vehicle collided with two patrol cars on State Route 374 in the town of Plattsburgh. The impact ignited one of the police cruisers, engulfing it in flames.
The incident occurred shortly after 7 a.m. as traffic slowed near an intersection. According to New York State Police, two marked Dodge Charger patrol cars were traveling westbound when a 2018 Jeep Cherokee, driven by 41-year-old Michelle L. Donah of Saranac, failed to stop in time. The Jeep rear-ended one patrol car, pushing it into the second cruiser.
The collision resulted in a fire that consumed one of the patrol vehicles. Dramatic images from the scene captured towering flames and thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Local fire departments responded and extinguished the blaze.
Troopers Jacob R. Casey and Jakai E. Townsend were transported to Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital for treatment of their injuries. The civilian driver, Donah, was evaluated at the scene but declined further medical attention.
The crash is currently under investigation.