State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 7 South in New Ashford

Today, at approximately 9:58 a.m. State Police assigned to the Cheshire Barracks responded to a one-vehicle crash on Route 7 South north of the New Ashford Motor Inn in New Ashford that resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Troopers Ryan Dickinson and David Hathaway indicates a 2001 Kia sport utility was traveling on Route 7 South. The operator of the vehicle lost control and the vehicle veered off the right shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle continued approximately 300 feet and entered the wood-line. The vehicle struck a tree on the passenger's side, spun approximately 180 degrees clockwise and came to rest. Both Lisa A. Cooney, a 42-year-old female, from Adams and Farin A. Small, a 47-year-old male, from Pittsfield were ejected form the vehicle during the crash. Cooney suffered serious injuries and was declared deceased at the scene. Small suffered minor injuries and was transported to Berkshire Medical Center by ambulance. Both Cooney and Small were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.

This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. The Lanesborough Fire Department, County Ambulance and Village Ambulance assisted troopers at the scene.

The traffic on Route 7 South was diverted through an adjacent rest area for approximately 3 hours during the investigation.

No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.

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