Police continue call for witnesses in fatal Route 7 crash in Niskayuna; Docs include new observations – The Daily Gazette

2022-07-29 21:56:50 By : Ms. Nancy Lee

NISKAYUNA – Police Tuesday continued their call for witnesses to the fatal July 17 crash on Route 7 in Niskayuna that has a Corinth woman facing a manslaughter count.

The request for public input comes as documents filed by police in court shed new light on what they say they saw at the scene near the suspect’s vehicle.

Charged in the crash is Maureen Morrow, 42, of Corinth. She faces one count of second-degree manslaughter in the crash, as well as a count of reckless driving.

Morrow is formally accused of driving her pickup truck recklessly on Route 7 just after 6 p.m. that evening and crashing head-on with a car driven by Anne Burchardt, 55, of Glenville. Burchardt died from her injuries.

Authorities continue to await toxicology tests on Morrow and further charges are possible.

The crash happened near Hickory Road.

According to officer observations filed in court, one person reported being among several passers-by to pull the driver of the pickup truck, identified as Morrow, from the smoking vehicle. The truck then burst into flames.

The witness the officer spoke to indicated she did not see the accident but stopped to assist with a number of other passersby. Residents who lived nearby reported hearing the crash, but not seeing it. And a check of the area uncovered no video footage.

The indications are that Morrow was traveling at a high rate of speed and crossed the yellow line, causing the crash, leading to the recklessness allegations, said prosecutor Nicolaus Brooks-McDonald.

Brooks-McDonald, however, said the investigation is continuing and said investigators are interested to find out any information from before the crash. Morrow was driving a black 2003 Ford F-150, according to information filed in court.

Morrow suffered multiple injuries in the crash and was ultimately taken to Albany Medical Center. She remained there Tuesday, in custody. She continued to be held without bail and could appear in court next week, officials said.

Morrow is being represented by Schenectady County Public Defender Stephen Signore. Signore noted Tuesday his client remains hospitalized and he is awaiting evidence from prosecutors.

The police observations filed in court also describe a “cooler bag containing alcoholic beverages in the close proximity of the suspects truck” and a “package of Narcan, pills that were found in the roadway and money that was scattered about the scene.” Another officer also described seeing “hypodermic needles and unopen Narcan on the ground in the debris on ground near” the truck connected to Morrow.

The observations included only the objects’ relative locations, and did not describe them further or ascribe significance to them.

Neither of the two charges filed against Morrow reference anything observed at the scene. The inside of Morrow’s truck was not described in the narratives.

Investigators are still trying to learn about Morrow’s actions leading up to the crash, including details on where she came from and where she was going, Lt. Joseph Twitty said.

Morrow’s residence in Corinth is about 35 miles north of the Niskayuna crash scene.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who either witness Morrow driving prior to the crash or encountered her earlier that day is asked to contact Twitty at 518-386-4584.

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