AMENIA – A two-car crash on Route 22 in the Town of Amenia has claimed the life of a two-year-old child.
The accident occurred at approximately 8:20 a.m. on Thursday, October 8.
The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said a 2018 Nissan Sentra driven by Reneisha Johnson, 26, of Millerton, and occupied by Ellie Dunlop, 2, was traveling southbound on Route 22 was stopped in traffic as another vehicle was making a turn.
A 2000 Ford Explorer driven by Forrest McBreairty, 73, of Amenia, struck the Nissan in the rear after failing to observe it was stopped.
Both people in the Nissan were injured with the toddler later dying at Westchester Medical Center, deputies said.
Driver inattention and sun glare are thought to be the primary contributing factors in the crash.
The investigation is continuing and no charges were immediately filed.
The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by the State Police and Amenia Fire Department.
