Basic Facts
Crash date: April 16, 2026
Crash location: State Route 23 and County Route 7 in Copake, NY
People involved:
- John Piwowarski, 78
- Janet K. Piwowarski, 76
- Unidentified truck driver
Do authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this crash? Unknown
Did authorities recommend criminal charges? Unknown
Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the crash? Unknown
Accident Report
Copake, NY — April 16, 2026, John Piwowarski and Janet Piwowarski were killed in a truck accident at about 3:15 p.m. on State Route 23.
Authorities said a 2022 Subaru Outback entered the highway from County Route 7 when it was hit by an eastbound gasoline tanker truck.
Subaru driver John Piwowarski, 78, of Hillsdale was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities, while wife Janet K. Piwowarski, 76, died after being taken to a Hudson hospital.
The truck driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after the crash, authorities said.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Columbia County crash at this time.
How Did This Accident Occur?
Did the Subaru have the right of way when it entered State Route 23? Was the tanker speeding as it approached the intersection with County Route 7? Did a mechanical problem prevent either vehicle from stopping when it tried? Answering these questions will help ensure that the family of the couple who died in this crash understand how this accident unfolded.
Investigators, either police or an independent third party, should be able to reconstruct this crash after poring over evidence from the scene, witness statements, data from the vehicles and any available video footage of the collision. An outside expert may be needed if investigators suspect a medical issue or mechanical problem contributed to the crash, but a thorough investigation will reveal the truth about this accident.
Did you witness this crash? Let us know what you saw in the comment section.
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