Kayla Finch Killed in Crash with 18-Wheeler on Route 414 in Galen, NY
Galen, NY — January 17, 2023, 34-year-old Kayla Finch died in a collision with a tractor-trailer on State Route 414 in the Town of Galen.
Authorities say the incident happened Tuesday morning on Route 414 in Wayne County. Preliminary investigation suggests Finch was traveling south on the road when she allegedly lost control of her vehicle for unknown reasons. It crossed over the center line into the northbound lane, then collided with an oncoming 18-wheeler. After the impact both vehicles ran off the road into a ditch and the semi-trailer overturned.
Finch was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The accident remains under investigation. No further information is currently available.
I often run into the mistaken notion that preliminary reports contain everything there is to know about an accident, but that's rarely the case. Police at the scene put together a rough idea of what happened and the press relays it to the public, but those are just first impressions—a starting point for further investigation.
Take the New York accident above: As one person allegedly crossed left of center some may have decided that's all there is to know, but it seems like no one can say why that happened. Answering that is critical, so it's best to investigate carefully. What do tire marks and debris patterns at the scene show? Will police look at both vehicles' Electronic Control Module (ECM) data for clues? Were there any witnesses? Did the truck have a dashcam, and if so what did it show?
My point is that things aren't always as straightforward as they may first seem, so it's best to keep an open mind until the facts can tell the whole story. The most important thing is to get real answers for the people who need and deserve them. I hope authorities will take the time and care needed to do so.
