Williamstown Woman Killed in Pownal Crash

Updated at 3:41 p.m. POWNAL, Vt. — A Williamstown, Mass., woman was killed Friday morning after her sport utility vehicle was totaled in a three-car accident on Route 7. 

 

Kristie M. Kuziel, 54, was taken by medical helicopter to Albany, N.Y., Medical Center, where she later died. 

 

According to state police, a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe operated by Kuziel was northbound on Route 7 when her vehicle crossed into the left lane in Center Pownal and collided head-on with a southbound 2013 Honda CRV. The energy from the collision forced the Honda into the rear-end of 2016 Ford E45 transit van, which was parked on the southbound shoulder of the roadway. 

 

State troopers responded the report of the crash with a trapped occupant in the Hyundai at about 8:52 a.m. The Pownal Fire Department and Bennington Rescue Squad also responded. 

 

According to State Trooper Shawn Sommers, Kuziel, who was not wearing a seat belt, sustained internal injuries and a broken leg and was flown by medical helicopter to Albany Medical Center. The driver of the Honda, Emma G. Mattison, 26, of Pownal sustained less-serious injuries and was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center by the Bennington Rescue Squad. 

 

No one was in the van. All three vehicles are considered totaled. The highway was closed for 2 1/2 hours and motorists detoured down Center Street. The road reopened around 11:30.

 

No further information was being released at this time.