SUNY Potsdam student killed in crash

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November 25, 2009

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG The Press Republican Wed Nov 25, 2009, 03:39 PM EST

TUPPER LAKE — The holidays have turned tragic for the downstate family of a SUNY Potsdam student who was killed on his way home for Thanksgiving.

Tyrell Spencer was catching a ride from college midday Tuesday when the car he was riding in flipped off the road, later claiming the life of the 21-year-old Uniondale resident.

State Police said the driver, Erica A. Romaniello, 20, of Selden, was driving south on Route 30 around 1 p.m. when she lost control of her car.

Authorities said the car overturned several times before coming to rest and ejecting Spencer from the vehicle.

When authorities arrived, they found Spencer critically injured with head and chest trauma and had him transported by North Country Life Flight to Fletcher Allen Health Care.

He later succumbed to his injuries at the Burlington hospital.

Romaniello suffered arm and neck injuries during the crash and was taken to Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake, where she was listed in fair condition Wednesday.

Another passenger in the vehicle, Jean Carroll, 18, of Islip Terrace, complained of head and neck injuries and was also taken to Adirondack Medical Center for treatment.

She was later released and is now recovering with family at her Long Island home.

Authorities believe both Romaniello and Carroll were wearing seat belts at the time of the wreck but were unsure Wednesday whether Spencer, who was in the back seat, was wearing any restraints.

News of the accident hit many Potsdam students as they left campus Wednesday.

“Potsdam is a very small community so this hits the campus really hard,” SUNY Potsdam spokesperson Deborah Dudley said Wednesday afternoon.

She said counseling services were available to students and that the campus community was already planning services for Spencer after the holiday break.

His funeral services have not been finalized.

Spencer, a senior, was expecting to graduate college this May with a degree in music business.

Police are continuing to investigate the accident and have not said whether speed or weather played a role in the crash.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com