SOUTH BETHLEHEM – An accident on Sunday, Aug 14 at the intersection of Route 396 and Star Road claimed the life of Margaret Halvorsen, 80, of Delanson.
Halvorsen was returning home from visiting family Sunday night when the accident took place at the intersection. It is unclear if she stopped at the stop sign or inched forward to see traffic and was struck, according to police. The investigation is ongoing.
It is clear that Halvorsen’s car was struck by a truck traveling on Route 396 driven by Samuel Keir, 52, of Hannacroix.
Keir was found to be unlicensed and impaired by drugs and alcohol.
“Samuel Keir was found to be operating his vehicle with his operating privileges in New York as Revoked due to previous DWI related incidents and was also found to be impaired at the time of operation,” Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said in a release.
Keir was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, a felony, DWAI-combination of drugs and alcohol, a misdemeanor and other traffic violations.
He was given an appearance ticket and released. Keir is scheduled to face a judge for arraignment in Bethlehem Town Court on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 5 p.m.
Margaret’s husband of 59 years, Richard, 84, died later in the week after a battle with cancer. The family has a celebration of life service planned for both of them on Saturday, Aug. 27. Please click the names here for the obituaries for Margaret and Richard.
