Route 9W accident sends two to hospital

Two motorists were taken to a hospital after a head-on crash that trapped one of them, authorities said.

Two motorists were taken to a hospital after a head-on crash early Tuesday that trapped one of them, according to the Esopus Fire Department.

The accident happened just before 3 a.m. on U.S. Route 9W near Black Creek Road, the department said in a press release.

Both vehicles sustained “significant damage,” and one of the drivers had to be extricated with the Jaws of Life power tool, the department said.

According to the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Sharol L. Vinett, 69, of Highland, was northbound on Route 9W when she failed to keep right and crossed into the southbound lane, striking a 2010 Ford F-150 driven by Joseph R. Dodd, 54, of Saugerties, who was southbound on Route 9W.

Authorities did not say which driver had been trapped. Both Vinett and Dodd were taken to MidHudson Regional Medical Center in Poughkeepsie by the Town of Esopus Volunteer Ambulance squad for evaluation.

Vinett was ticketed for failing to keep right, an infraction, deputies said. Additional charges are possible at a later date, deputies said.

Route 9W near the accident scene was closed for about two hours after the crash, the fire department said.