WAWARSING – On Thursday April 15, at approximately 2:50 p.m., Justin Helms, 18, of Pine Bush, was driving westbound on Route 52 in his Honda Civic. He had come over the top of the Shawangunk ridgeline, and was heading down towards Ellenville, passing the scenic overlooks.

At that point, for an as yet unknown reason, Helms lost control of his car and crossed over the double-yellow line into oncoming traffic. At that moment, Mark D. Vail, also a Pine Bush resident, was driving eastbound in a Ford Econoline van and saw Helm's heading straight for him. Vail attempted to avoid a crash by swerving into the westbound lane, but unfortunately, Helms had regained control of his car, and swerved back into that lane himself. The two vehicles collided head on.

Ellenville Police Chief Phil Mattricion said that the Ellenville Police Department patrol car was the first unit on the scene, after responding to a call put out by the Ulster County Sheriff regarding a head-on collision with serious physical injuries.

"Our car proceeded to the scene to hold it down until the Sheriff's Department or the State [Police] could get there," Mattricion said. "The officer immediately advised me that he had checked for pulse, there was none, and that the subject was DOA. He was identified later as Justin Helms."

Mattricion said that the officer then proceeded to treat the other victim, Mr. Vail, and that a rescue team arrived several minutes later. Vail was then flown by helicopter to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie with injuries that were not considered to be life threatening.

An investigation as to the cause of the accident is currently underway. There are, however, unconfirmed rumors that Helms may have been talking on his cell phone at the time of the crash. A recent study by the National Safety Council concluded that talking on a cell phone while driving leads to as many as 1.6 million accidents each year. In fact, an advocacy group modeled along the lines of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, known as "Focus Driven," has emerged in recent years.

The accident also adds to the seemingly endless string of tragedies that have occurred on Route 52 over the past several years. As many as twenty individuals have died along this section of road in recent years, raising serious concerns that measures should be taken to prevent more such tragedies from occurring.

Recently, persons unknown, erected a set of 18 white crosses along Route 52 between Cragsmoor and New Prospect Road. It is thought that each cross marks a fatal accident.

Ulster County's Deputy Traffic Safety Coordinator Charles Schaller said, "People just drive too fast, and they don't pay attention to signs. The major causes of crashes are speeding, and not driving in a reasonable or prudent manner for weather conditions, such as ice and snow."

The other major problem, said Schaller, "Distractions. There are too many other things going on. I-Pods, Cell phones, GPS units, even hands free cell phones are a problem, because it takes people's mind off their driving."

"For corrective actions," said Schaller, "we are in the process of reviewing the accidents from that area. We may put a couple of cars there and do a speed enforcement."

Lieutenant Dominick Blasko of the Town of Crawford Police said, "Responsibility is key with driving. Personal responsibility is the main thing. You are responsible for your vehicle and your own safety, as well as that of others on the road with you. People ignore their responsibility at great cost to themselves and others."

Chief Petrone of the Town of Shawangunk Police said, "52 would be a relatively safe road, if everyone drove within the state speed limits and paid attention. But, people exceed speed limits and driver inattention is the other thing that causes most accidents. This recent one, I don't think speed was a factor in this."

Petrone addressed the issue of cell phones, too. "We try to enforce the law against cell phone use while driving, but so many people are doing it. Young drivers, in particular, are texting and talking a lot while driving. We will ticket for that.

"If I had to say one thing, though, it would be — people slow down, stay alive, and pay attention."