JOHNSTOWN, NY — A 26-year-old woman died after her vehicle collided head-on with a tractor-trailer on State Route 30A on April 22 following a police pursuit.
The driver has been identified as Lexi T. Bohringer, of Sloansville, New York.
The Johnstown Police Department attempted to stop Bohringer at the intersection of Mason Street and North Market Street in Johnstown for multiple vehicle and traffic law violations at approximately 10:44 a.m.
Bohringer failed to comply, and a pursuit was initiated.
While fleeing, Bohringer struck a utility pole on Parkwood Avenue and continued.
The Johnstown Police Department lost sight of the vehicle as it turned onto State Route 30A traveling southbound.
A Fulton County Sheriff’s Office deputy, who was unaware of the pursuit, was conducting a traffic stop of an unrelated northbound vehicle when they observed Bohringer traveling southbound on State Route 30A at a high rate of speed.
The deputy activated lights and sirens but lost sight of the fleeing vehicle while conducting a U-turn.
Both the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and the Johnstown Police Department arrived on scene moments after the vehicle collided with the northbound tractor-trailer, but did not observe the collision.
Bohringer’s vehicle caught fire immediately after the crash, and she was removed from the vehicle by law enforcement officers who then provided medical aid until EMS arrived on scene.
Bohringer was declared deceased at the scene following all attempted life-saving measures.
She was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and a glass smoking device containing drug residue.
The driver of the commercial vehicle remained on scene and was completely cooperative with the investigation.
State Route 30A was closed in both directions between Glebe Street and South Melcher for collision reconstruction until approximately 9 p.m.
The Johnstown Police Department contacted the Attorney General’s Office, and they responded to the scene.
The New York State Police, which were not involved in the pursuit, are leading the investigation.
