82-Year-Old Barbara Thurston Pronounced Dead After Fenner Collision
Fenner, N.Y. — Authorities are investigating a tragic motor vehicle accident that claimed the life of an Oneida woman Thursday morning in the Town of Fenner.
According to New York State Police, troopers responded just after 9 a.m. to reports of a serious crash at the intersection of East Mile Strip Road and Oxbow Road. Upon arrival, they discovered that 82-year-old Barbara R. Thurston, of Oneida, had suffered fatal injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary findings indicate that the crash involved two vehicles. While full details of the cause have not yet been released, investigators confirmed that Thurston’s vehicle collided with another at the rural intersection. The driver of the second vehicle was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Their condition has not been made public, but officials noted that no other fatalities were reported.
State Police accident reconstruction experts and members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation remained at the scene for several hours Thursday, carefully examining skid marks, vehicle damage, and other evidence to determine what factors may have contributed to the collision. Weather and road conditions are also being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
The intersection of East Mile Strip Road and Oxbow Road, located in a quiet stretch of Madison County farmland, is known to locals for its limited visibility and sharp approaches. Neighbors in the area say that while the roads are typically calm, drivers must use caution due to the narrow lanes and occasional fast-moving cross traffic.
News of Thurston’s passing has sent shockwaves through her community. Friends and family described her as a kind, warm-hearted woman who was devoted to her loved ones and active in her church and neighborhood. “Barbara was the kind of person who always put others first,” one family friend said. “Her loss is heartbreaking to everyone who knew her.”
State Police emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released once it becomes available. In the meantime, they urged drivers in the region to use extra caution when traveling through rural intersections and to remain alert at all times.
Funeral arrangements for Barbara R. Thurston are expected to be announced by her family in the coming days.