Fatal-accident driver identified; student mourned

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September 29, 2010

ANDREA VanVALKENBURG Press-Republican The Press Republican Wed Sep 29, 2010, 05:33 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — As Yee Hao Chiel’s fellow students and professors mourn his death, police have identified the tractor-trailer driver involved in the Plattsburgh State man’s hit-and-run accident.

Brian Deno was driving the 2008 Kenworth tractor trailer that struck and killed Chiel, a 20-year-old international student from Malaysia, who was riding his bike along Route 3.

Ray Brook-based State Police said Chiel was riding in the same direction as Deno’s rig, and they both entered the area of the Exit 37 on-ramp at about the same time.

By witness accounts, Deno was turning onto the ramp as Chiel attempted to ride through it, shortly before 4 p.m.

ON The SIDEWALK

Police said the initial investigation revealed that Chiel was riding on the sidewalk as the tractor trailer slowed and turned right onto the ramp.

It appears Chiel pedaled into the roadway as Deno was turning and crashed into the trailer of the rig, causing him to fall underneath the moving truck.

Police said Deno was unaware Chiel had been hit and continued onto Interstate 87, where he was followed by a witness.

That driver provided police with a description of the rig, and it was located a short time later at a private residence on O’Neil Road in West Chazy, where Deno lives.

NO CHARGES SO FAR

Sources told the Press-Republican he was devastated to hear about Chiel’s death.

Deno, 46, has been cooperating with police and has not been charged.

Sources say he is an experienced driver who runs his own company, Brian Deno Trucking.

The accident is still being investigated by police and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.

By state law, bicyclists are required to follow the rules of the road and are supposed to ride on the side of the roadway, not the sidewalk, Bureau of Criminal Investigation Capt. Robert LaFountain said.

TRAUMATIC

The accident happened at a busy intersection, right as rows of commuters were lined up. Many people saw the aftermath of the crash, with people trying to resuscitate Chiel as he lay by the roadside.

News of his death rocked the Plattsburgh State campus, where students in the psychology student’s dorm are already planning a memorial.

Michelle Ouellette, director of public relations and publications at Plattsburgh State, said Wednesday that the date of the event has not been finalized as students “are waiting until (Chiel’s) parents are able to come up for it.”

‘SHINING STAR’

Chiel transferred to the local campus less than two months ago to begin his fall semester.

His professors have described him as a “bright and shining star in the classroom” who was “amazingly gifted,” Ouellette said Wednesday morning.

“We’re all just deeply saddened by his loss. It’s very difficult.”

Evan Mills, an international-student adviser on campus, met Chiel several weeks ago during a group orientation.

“He was a very nice boy. He was very active, and he made a lot of friends in the short time that he was here.

“The campus community, especially the international students, are very affected by this.”

Mills said a candlelight vigil will be held in Chiel’s memory sometime later this week.

Chiel, who went by the name Bryan, was an only child.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com