| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN CANAAN
September 26, 2009
Canaan, NY – Columbia County Sheriff David W. Harrison, Jr. reports that Deputy Sheriff’s are investigating
an automobile accident which occurred on NYS Route 22 at the intersection with NYS Route 295 in the Town
of Canaan. Deputy Sheriff Todd Hyson was assigned to respond at 8:43pm Friday evening by County 911
after receiving multiple reports of the accident.
Robert Meehan 72 years old of route 203 Chatham, NY was operating a 2001 GMC Sierra Pickup truck west
bound on route 295. Witnesses reported that a 2008 Pontiac Vibe, operated by 17 year old Lars Haas of
Pooles Hill Road, New Lebanon, was northbound on route 22, failed to stop for a red traffic light and crashed
in the side of Mr. Meehan’s vehicle who was ejected. Both vehicles came to rest in the parking lot of the Bar-
Ken towing service parking lot. Haas and his two passengers, 16 year old Michael Hotaling of East Nassau,
NY and 17 year old Alesha O’Dell of County Route 13 Old Chatham, NY were extricated from the vehicle by
the Canaan Fire Company, assisted by the New Lebanon and East Chatham Fire Companys. Hass and
Hotaling, who was the front seat passenger, were wearing seatbelts. O’Dell who was in the rear seat, and
Meehan were not.
Meehan was transported by helicopter to the Albany Medical center where he is currently in critical but stable
condition in the ICU.
Haas, Hotaling and O’Dell were transported by the Lebanon Valley Ambulance and Chatham Rescue Squad
to Berkshire Medical Center in Massachusetts. O’Dell was later airlifted from BMC to the Albany Medical
Center for serious internal injuries. County Ambulance from Massachusetts also assisted at the scene.
Assisting Deputy Sheriff Hyson at the scene were Sergeant William Zincio, Deputy Sheriff David Rose,
Sr/Investigator Kevin Skype and Investigator Patrick Logue. Deputy Sheriff’s William Dunspaugh and
Brendan Filli responded with the Sheriff’s Office Incident Scene Investigation Unit.
Alcoholic Beverage containers were fond in the Haas vehicle. No charges have been filed at this time. The
investigation is continuing including the involvement of alcohol and/or drug as a contributing factor in the
accident and potential charges.
September 26, 2009
Canaan, NY – Columbia County Sheriff David W. Harrison, Jr. reports that Deputy Sheriff’s are investigating
an automobile accident which occurred on NYS Route 22 at the intersection with NYS Route 295 in the Town
of Canaan. Deputy Sheriff Todd Hyson was assigned to respond at 8:43pm Friday evening by County 911
after receiving multiple reports of the accident.
Robert Meehan 72 years old of route 203 Chatham, NY was operating a 2001 GMC Sierra Pickup truck west
bound on route 295. Witnesses reported that a 2008 Pontiac Vibe, operated by 17 year old Lars Haas of
Pooles Hill Road, New Lebanon, was northbound on route 22, failed to stop for a red traffic light and crashed
in the side of Mr. Meehan’s vehicle who was ejected. Both vehicles came to rest in the parking lot of the Bar-
Ken towing service parking lot. Haas and his two passengers, 16 year old Michael Hotaling of East Nassau,
NY and 17 year old Alesha O’Dell of County Route 13 Old Chatham, NY were extricated from the vehicle by
the Canaan Fire Company, assisted by the New Lebanon and East Chatham Fire Companys. Hass and
Hotaling, who was the front seat passenger, were wearing seatbelts. O’Dell who was in the rear seat, and
Meehan were not.
Meehan was transported by helicopter to the Albany Medical center where he is currently in critical but stable
condition in the ICU.
Haas, Hotaling and O’Dell were transported by the Lebanon Valley Ambulance and Chatham Rescue Squad
to Berkshire Medical Center in Massachusetts. O’Dell was later airlifted from BMC to the Albany Medical
Center for serious internal injuries. County Ambulance from Massachusetts also assisted at the scene.
Assisting Deputy Sheriff Hyson at the scene were Sergeant William Zincio, Deputy Sheriff David Rose,
Sr/Investigator Kevin Skype and Investigator Patrick Logue. Deputy Sheriff’s William Dunspaugh and
Brendan Filli responded with the Sheriff’s Office Incident Scene Investigation Unit.
Alcoholic Beverage containers were fond in the Haas vehicle. No charges have been filed at this time. The
investigation is continuing including the involvement of alcohol and/or drug as a contributing factor in the
accident and potential charges.