Speed, inexperience factors in fatal crash

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December 1, 2009

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG The Press Republican Tue Dec 01, 2009, 11:37 AM EST

TUPPER LAKE — State Police believe speed, not alcohol or drugs, likely contributed to the crash that recently claimed the life of a SUNY Potsdam student.

Tyrell Spencer, a senior business major, was riding to his family’s Long Island home with Erika Romaniello, 20, last Tuesday afternoon when she lost control of her car and veered off Route 30 in Tupper Lake.

Spencer, who was riding in the back seat and wasn’t wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the car when it overturned.

The 21-year-old Uniondale resident died of head and chest injuries at Fletcher Allen Health Care.

Romaniello suffered a serious neck injury but has since been released from the Burlington hospital, which she had been transferred to late last week.

A second passenger, Jean Carroll, 18, of Islip Terrace, was also injured and was treated at Adirondack Medical Center shortly after the crash and released.

Ray Brook-based State Police Investigator Steve Ansari said this week that authorities have ruled out alcohol or drugs being involved in the wreck.

Preliminary results of the investigation indicate that speed and driver inexperience were the likely causes, he said.

Ansari said the investigation should be wrapped up by next week and that authorities will then determine whether any tickets will be issued.

Criminal charges are not expected to be filed.

Police said the students were heading home for Thanksgiving break when the accident occurred.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com