from Columbia County Sheriff's Office:
SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATES FATAL ACCIDENT IN COPAKE
COPAKE, NY – Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that Sheriff's Patrols were dispatched by Columbia County 911 at approximately 9:37pm last night to a one vehicle automobile accident on County Route 7A, just south of Empire Road in the Town of Copake.
Deputy Sheriff's found that a 2003 GMC pick-up truck, operated by 46 year old Robert W. Lowden of Jefferson NY, was traveling southbound on County Route 7A and went off the west side of the roadway striking a utility pole. The vehicle struck the pole with the driver’s side of the vehicle and then came to rest facing east off the westbound shoulder. Mr. Lowden was pronounced dead at the scene.
There was one passenger in the vehicle, 31 year old Michael Steinmetz Jr. also of Jefferson NY, who was transported to Albany Medical Center by Greenport Rescue Squad for internal injuries and neck pain.
Speed and alcohol involvement may be factors and the accident is still under investigation by Sheriff's Deputies and Investigators.
Coroner Blasl is also assisting with this investigation. An autopsy has been scheduled for tomorrow morning at Ellis Hospital.
County Route 7A was closed for approximately 3 hours during this investigation.
The Community Rescue Squad, Greenport Rescue Squad, and Copake Fire Company assisted at the scene.
Investigating for the Sheriff’s Office were Captain John DeRocha, Sr. Investigator Mark Dunspaugh, Investigator Reagan Anderson, Sergeant Donald Krapf, Deputy Zachary Sohotra, and Deputy Steven Rose.