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State Police have ticketed a driver following a serious crash in Athens. On Friday (December 26), Yinxiang Cheng, 19, from Long Island City, was driving a 2019 Nissan Sentra on Leeds Athens Road. According to police, Cheng stopped at the intersection of Route 9W but then entered the intersection, where his vehicle was struck by a southbound Ford F-450 truck operated by a Mid-Hudson Fiber employee. The truck had a flashing yellow light but no stop sign. The impact pushed the Nissan into a curb, causing it to roll over onto its roof.
Four occupants in Cheng's car were taken to Albany Medical Center, with one, Qianliang Liu, 19, suffering a serious head injury. The driver of the truck was not injured and did not receive any citations.
State Police Public Information Executive Director Beau Duffy stated that Cheng failed to properly stop and proceed with care at the intersection, leading to the ticketing. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the village of Athens Police Department also responded to the scene. A LifeNet helicopter was dispatched, but reports did not confirm its arrival.
The incident highlights the importance of road safety and careful driving, especially at intersections. As the investigation continues, Cheng faces the consequences of the traffic infraction.