Woman dies in Liberty Expressway crash

ALBANY — A multiple vehicle wreck on the Liberty Expressway resulted in a fatality Tuesday morning, officials with the Albany Police Department said.

Phyllis Banks, spokeswoman for the APD, said drivers Dorothy Mathis in a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, Austin Sheltra in a 2005 Buick Rainer, Stephanie Blount in a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Richard Tuck in 2016 Jeep Liberty were traveling east on the 600 block of the Liberty Expressway. Sheltra, Blount and Tuck slowed down because of a traffic crash ahead and were preparing to change lanes.

Mathis was unable to stop and struck the Buick Rainer in the rear, polivce said. The Buick then struck the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Jeep Liberty. The Silverado and the Buick were stuck together from the initial collision, crossed the right lane and struck the guardrail on the south side of the roadway, Banks said.

Banks said Mathis, 72, died as a result of her injuries. Her passenger had a visible injury, as did Sheltra. Blount and her passenger, a 2-year-old child, both complained of injury. The injured individuals were taken to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital for treatment, she said.

No charges are pending in the crash, Banks said.