LATHAM— Police arrested a woman in connection with the Route 7 crash Tuesday night that left three people injured and one dead.
According to police, initial investigation has revealed that Jessica A. Bellerose, 41 , of Troy, was traveling eastbound on State Route 7 when her car hit another eastbound vehicle operated by Melanie J. Curtis, 38, of Halfmoon. This contact caused Bellerose’s vehicle to cross over the median into the westbound lanes of State Route 7 where she collided with two westbound vehicles operated by Jeffrey Gaul, 58, of Rensselaer, and Paige Ahearn, 18, of Waterford, State Police said.
Bellerose was released Thursday from Albany Medical Center, taken into custody, and charged in connection with the accident. Bellerose was charged with felony vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, and two traffic violations of failure to keep right and moving from lanes unsafely. She was arraigned in the Town of Colonie Court today at 2:30 pm.
The investigation is ongoing, and at this time includes accident reconstruction and toxicology results as part of the process, State Police said.
Ahearn was pronounced dead at the scene when police arrived at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Oct. 11.
Ahearn graduated from Waterford Halfmoon High School this past June. She was on the basketball team and softball team. She was also a member of the cheerleading squad, and a member of student council at school. Ahearn’s loved ones described her as an outdoors lover, as well as an animal lover and rescuer. She worked at Beautique Salon in Halfmoon. Services for Ahearn will be on Fri and Sat. Here is a link with the details.
Ahearn’s passenger and boyfriend, 21-year old Damien DeMayo, was taken to Albany Medical Center to be treated for neck and head injuries. Gaul was transported to Ellis Hospital with minor injuries. Curtis was not injured.
The photos of the crash and origninal story can be found HERE