Wrong-Way Driver Killed on Route 17

New York State Police are releasing details of a crash on Route 17 Tuesday, October 4, that snarled traffic for hours.

Authorities say at 2:57 p.m., Troopers responded to the report of a car going the wrong way in the eastbound lanes in the Town of Nichols.

Before they got on the scene, authorities were informed the wrong way vehicle had crashed head-on into an eastbound car.

The driver who was going the wrong way was 90 year old John McCarthy of Elmira.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the other car was 65 year old Sandra Spaeth of Rome Pennsylvania.  She was taken to Robert Packer Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Authorities say they are still waiting for the results of an autopsy.