Three killed in Route 3 crash
By ANDY BATES
VERMONTVILLE - A car accident Friday afternoon on state Route 3 near Vermontville claimed the lives of three people.
According to state police in Ray Brook, James H. Patric, 82, and Alma M. Patric, 77, both of Greenville, Tenn., were travelling eastbound on state Route 3 when they collided slightly head-on with a car being driven by Eric H. Pellerin, 26, of Plattsburgh, who was also travelling in the eastbound lane.
Police said it is unknown why Pellerin was in the eastbound lane, and his attempts to break and swerve onto the south shoulder of the road to avoid the collision proved unsuccessful.
Police and emergency response teams from Saranac Lake and Bloomingdale were called to the scene shortly after 3:30 p.m. but were unable to save the lives of the three victims, who died at the scene.
Police said they were unsure at this point whether alcohol or drugs may have been a factor in the accident but would have a better understanding following an autopsy.
Franklin County Coroner Ron Keough responded to the scene and ordered the victims to be taken to Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and are requesting that anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information regarding the accident contact State Police Troop B Headquarters in Ray Brook at 897-2000.
