State Police investigate fatal motor vehicle accident involving three vehicles and a black bear in Windsor

On June 24, 2015, at approximately 9:40 p.m., New York State Police from Binghamton responded to a three-vehicle accident involving a black bear on Interstate 86 in the Town of Windsor.

An investigation determined that the first vehicle involved was a 2014 Jeep Cherokee operated by Clay B. Monroe, from Bronxville, N.Y., which was westbound in the driving lane of I-86. This vehicle was towing a clamshell trailer containing a glider airplane. The Jeep struck and killed a large black bear that entered the roadway.

The second vehicle involved was a 2006 Honda Civic operated by Judy E. Bogad, of Ardmore, Pa., which was also westbound in the driving lane. The Honda swerved left into the passing lane in attempt to avoid a collision with the dead bear, but struck the bear and a westbound 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by Thomas A. Poole, age 56, from Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Poole was ejected from the motorcycle and received numerous fractures and internal injuries. Bogad had minor injuries to her left arm.

Poole was transported by Broome County Ambulance to Wilson Memorial Hospital, in Johnson City, N.Y. where he died from his injuries.

Bogad was transported by Superior Ambulance to Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City, N.Y. where she was treated for minor injuries to her left arm.

The accident resulted in the closing of a section of I-86 between the Exit 78 entrance and exit ramps for a period of approximately five hours. Troopers and Investigators from Binghamton were assisted at the scene by the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, New York State DOT and the Windsor and West Windsor Fire Departments.

The accident is still under investigation and no tickets have been issued at this time.