Police: Driver inattention led to NY trooper’s crash death, cell phone use, texting ruled out

Driver inattention led to NY trooper’s crash death

SIDNEY, N.Y. — New York State Police say driver inattention led to a crash that killed a state trooper, but they can’t explain why she allowed her cruiser to drift into an oncoming tractor-trailer.

They say investigators ruled out the possibility Jill Mattice (muh-TYCE’) was texting or talking on her cell phone and didn’t find any evidence that weather, speeding, or a problem with her cruiser contributed to the Jan. 20 wreck.

Mattice was headed to the Oneonta (oh-nee-AHN’-tuh) barracks when her cruiser crossed the center line at 58 mph and hit a tractor-trailer.

Mattice was the first female trooper killed while on duty.

A press release issued Friday doesn’t mention the results of drug and alcohol testing. State police spokesmen weren’t immediately available to comment.