Distracted Driver Causes 4-Vehicle Accident in Town of Walton

A distracted driver caused a four-car accident on State Rt. 10 in the Town of Walton Monday according to the Delaware County Sheriff's Office.  Police say at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Monday morning, 19-year-old Nathan D. Plante of Margaretville was traveling south on St. Hwy. 10 when he became distracted while driving and suddenly attempted to avoid colliding with vehicles that were stopped in the roadway in a construction zone.  Plante subsequently veered into the northbound lane of travel where he struck a northbound vehicle being operated by 76 year-old James K. Zimmerman, of Clemson, S.C.  The Plante vehicle then continued on and struck another vehicle, operated by 37 year-old Jarred J. Robinson, of Walton, which was stopped in the southbound lane of travel.  The Robinson vehicle then struck a vehicle operated by 59-year-old Robin S. Wagner, of Tonawanda, NY, that was stopped in traffic in front of the Robinson vehicle.

Nathan Plante was transported to Delaware Valley Hospital for treatment of possible internal injuries. 41 year-old Scott A. Fitch, who was a passenger in Jarred Robinson's vehicle, was airlifted to Wilson Hospital by LifeNet helicopter for treatment of a possible spinal injury. Others involved in the accident either had minor injuries or no injuries.

Plante was issued traffic summonses for speed not reasonable and prudent and failure to keep right and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Walton Court on a later date to answer those charges.