Fatal Collision On Route 22 In Stephentown

by David Flint
A head-on collision in Stephentown on Sunday evening, January 20, resulted in the death of a Virginia man. Three people from New York City in the other car were seriously injured. State Police reported that Kevin H. Jensen, 45, of Grottoes, VA, was driving a white 2000 Plymouth Voyager north on Route 22 when for some unknown reason he crossed the double yellow line and collided head-on with a gray 2011 Lexus SUV. Jensen was pronounced dead at the scene by the Rensselaer County Medical Examiner’s office.
[private]Rik McClave, Assistant Chief of the Stephentown Fire Department, reported that the accident occurred about 5 pm a quarter mile south of the intersection with Route 43. He said that the call to the Fire Department reported just a traffic accident with no injuries, but it was quickly learned that the accident was very serious and that there were multiple injuries. As soon as the Fire Department arrived Route 22 was closed to all traffic, and detours were set up to detour traffic on Route 43 and Provost Road.
The driver and two passengers of the 2011 Lexus were severely injured. One passenger was transported by Stephentown Ambulance while the driver and the remaining passenger were transported by County Ambulance. The injured people were all taken to Berkshire Medical Center. Berlin Ambulance remained at the scene until Stephentown ambulance returned in service.
State Police later identified the driver of the SUV as Daniel Riesel, 76, and the passengers as Shiela Riesel, 68, and Allison Riesel, 32, all of New York City. Daniel and Shiela Riesel were flown to Massachusetts General Hospital for further treatment. On Tuesday Allison Riesel was reported to be in stable condition at Berkshire Medical Center and Daniel and Shiela in good condition at Mass General.
McClave’s report indicated that the Stephentown Fire Department responded with 16 members, one pumper, a rescue truck and ambulance. An immediate call was made for mutual aid for Berlin ambulance as well as ambulances from County Ambulance and Action Ambulance in Pittsfield. In addition a request was made for the medical evacuation helicopter stationed in Albany, but it was unable to fly due to the weather.
Stephentown Fire and Ambulance remained on scene until 11:20 pm detouring traffic while the State Police accident investigation team conducted their examination of the accident scene. Madden’s Service and Fat Body Customs towed the vehicles to the State Police impound lot in Latham, NY. A family dog riding with the family in the Lexus survived the crash and is being housed by local residents until it can be returned to its owners.
The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, led by Trooper Joshua Kean, is still investigating the cause of the accident, and they request that anyone who may have witnessed it call the State Police at 518-783-3211.[/private]