Police investigating fatal accident

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September 28, 2010

Anonymous Press-Republican The Press Republican Tue Sep 28, 2010, 10:31 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — A suspect in a hit-and-run accident that killed a Plattsburgh State student who was riding his bike Tuesday has been identified and located, Plattsburgh-based State Police said.

However, police could not release any additional information on that arrest Tuesday night.

Yee Hao Chiel, 20, of Malaysia was reportedly hit by a tractor-trailer shortly after 5 p.m. at Exit 37 of the Adirondack Northway near Route 3, and the driver apparently left the scene.

Police were looking for the tractor-trailer, which a witness described as red with a trailer that resembled three upside-down cones or triangles.

“It looked like something that would haul materials or cement,” said the witness, James Thompson, 31, of Peru.

Thompson was at a red light on Plaza Drive facing south when the accident occurred.

He said the bicyclist and the tractor-trailer were both eastbound on Route 3 and approached the intersection at about the same time. The tractor-trailer had a red light and failed to come to a complete stop, Thompson said.

Shortly after the tractor-trailer struck the bicyclist, Thompson said he saw its brake lights come on but that it “sped off” after that.

Michelle Ouellette, director of public relations and publications at Plattsburgh State, said Chiel was a transfer student who was new to the college this semester.

“He was an academically outstanding student, and he was very well liked,” Ouellette said. “He already had several close friendships.”

Traffic was backed up on the exit ramp as police investigated the accident Tuesday. A crumpled bike and shoes could be seen by the roadside.

Anyone with information is asked to call Plattsburgh-based State Police at 563-3761.

Police said the incident is still under investigation, and no additional information was immediately available.