Fatal Crash on The Northway in Schroon: How It Happened

Photo by Mike Ryan

The fatal crash which closed the Northway in Schroon for more than seven hours was the result of a suspect in an armed robbery fleeing police by heading south in the north-bound lanes of I-87 and plowing head on into a pick up truck.

Major Darrin S. Pitkin, the Troop B Commander of the New York State Police, issued the following press release.

On September 23, 2018, at approximately 11:07 am, Troopers observed a 2008 Pontiac G6, southbound on I-87. The operator of the vehicle, Desmond J. Clark, 28, of Plattsburgh, was wanted for questioning regarding an earlier armed robbery in Keeseville. When Troopers initiated a traffic stop, Clark failed to pull over and continued south on I-87. A pursuit was initiated at approximately 11:19 a.m.
 
Around mile post marker 85, the suspect vehicle exited the southbound lane, crossed the median, and continued southbound in the northbound lane, eventually striking a 2011 GMC Sierra pickup truck head-on. The truck was operated by Curtis E. Smith, 52, with front seat passenger Linda M. Hutti, 57, both of Peru. Smith was transported to Glens Falls Hospital with back and leg injuries. Hutti was also transported to Glens Falls Hospital with a back injury. Both Smith and Hutti were later transported to the Albany Medical Center for further treatment.
 
Clark was pronounced deceased at the scene, at 12:45 p.m., by Essex County Coroner Francis Whitelaw, who authorized removal to University of Vermont Medical Center at the Champlain Valley Physician’s Hospital in Plattsburgh for autopsy to be completed at a later time.
 
State Police have been assisted by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Plattsburgh City Police Department and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office.

Photo by Mike Ryan. Investigators stand in front of tire tracks where the suspect’s vehicle crossed the grassy median strip after exiting the south-bound lanes and continued heading south on the north-bound lanes.