Tribal Police Continue to Investigate Fatal Vehicle Accident
Nov 1, 2011
On October 26, 2011 at approximately 2:30 a.m. personnel from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department (SRMTPD) responded to a one car accident on North Road. Upon arrival, SRMTPD units observed a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix off the southeast shoulder. The vehicle had extensive front end damage as a result of colliding with the base of a tree. The Hogansburg-Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department, the Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance, Seaway Valley Ambulance Service and the Bombay Fire and Rescue Squad were notified to the scene.
The operator of the vehicle, Amber Lynn Aliff, was transported to Massena Memorial Hospital by Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance, where she was pronounced deceased due to the severity of her injuries. Dakota Benedict, a passenger in the rear of the vehicle, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident by Franklin County Coroner Brian Langdon.
Sidney Oakes, the passenger in the front of the vehicle, was transported to Massena Memorial Hospital with severe chest injuries. Oakes was later transported to Fletcher Allen in Burlington Vermont. Oakes’ condition at this time is stable and continues to recover from injuries.
The vehicle was involved in a Fail to Comply/Stop with Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (AMPS) immediately prior to the accident. The vehicle failed to stop for AMPS when directed to do so in St. Regis Village, province of Quebec. The vehicle continued southbound onto St. Regis Road, in Hogansburg (Akwesasne), where AMPS continued to follow the vehicle and notified the Tribal dispatcher of the vehicle’s actions and location.
The vehicle continued southbound through the intersection onto North Rd where it was observed to pass another southbound vehicle and then lost control as it failed to negotiate a bend in the road and crashed into a tree.
For more information contact David T. Staddon, Director of Public Information at 518-358-2272 ext. 286.