By Crash News Writer 
Southeast, NY (November 5, 2026) – An 87-year-old woman from Brewster died following a three-vehicle collision on Danbury Road in the town of Southeast, Putnam County, on Tuesday morning, November 3. According to New York State Police, the fatal accident occurred when the woman’s Subaru was struck by an approaching BMW while she was attempting to make a left turn onto Route 6/202.
The collision occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. near 3402 Danbury Road, at the intersection of Dingle Ridge Road and Route 6/202. Authorities identified the deceased driver as Helen T. Gambino, 87, of Brewster.
According to the preliminary investigation, Gambino was stopped at a stop sign on Dingle Ridge Road while driving a 2024 Subaru. As she attempted to turn left onto Danbury Road, her vehicle entered the path of an eastbound 2015 BMW operated by a 19-year-old resident of Danbury, Connecticut.
The BMW struck Gambino’s Subaru, causing it to overturn and come to rest in the center median. After the initial impact, the BMW continued into a 2009 Honda driven by a 23-year-old Danbury resident who was traveling eastbound in the right lane of Danbury Road.
Emergency personnel responded to the intersection following the three-vehicle collision. Gambino sustained serious injuries and was transported to Danbury Hospital for emergency medical treatment. Despite medical efforts, she was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The 19-year-old BMW driver also sustained injuries in the accident and was transported to Danbury Hospital. State Police reported that his injuries were not considered life-threatening. Authorities did not release additional information about his medical condition or the treatment he received.
The 23-year-old Honda driver was not injured in the collision, according to police. Officials did not report any additional injuries or identify other occupants of the vehicles involved.
The crash occurred during the morning hours at an intersection connecting Dingle Ridge Road with Route 6/202. Authorities did not disclose whether the collision caused temporary road closures, traffic delays, or other disruptions for motorists traveling through the area.
New York State Police have not announced any charges or traffic citations in connection with the accident. Investigators also have not released findings concerning whether speed, visibility, distracted driving, or another factor contributed to the collision.
The preliminary investigation established the sequence of impacts involving the Subaru, BMW, and Honda. However, authorities have not released a final determination concerning responsibility for the crash.
Additional information may become available as New York State Police continue examining the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.
Protect Your Rights After a Fatal Intersection Accident Today
Intersection accidents involving left-turning vehicles can cause serious injuries when drivers enter the path of approaching traffic. When a collision involves several vehicles, investigators may need to determine whether motorists followed traffic controls, yielded when required, and exercised reasonable care before entering or crossing a roadway.
Under car accident laws in New York, individuals injured because of another party’s negligence may have grounds to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other legally recognized damages. When a collision results in death, the deceased person’s personal representative may also have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of eligible beneficiaries.
If you are searching for a car accident near me or a car accident near Southeast, understanding New York’s traffic and negligence laws can help clarify the legal questions that may arise following a serious intersection collision. An official car accident report may contain information about vehicle movements, traffic controls, witness statements, and the investigating officers’ findings.
New York law generally requires drivers approaching a stop sign to stop and yield the right-of-way to vehicles that are approaching closely enough to create an immediate hazard. Motorists making left turns must also yield to oncoming traffic when required under applicable traffic laws.
However, determining responsibility for a left-turn collision requires examining the specific circumstances. Investigators may need to consider the position of each vehicle, the timing of the turn, approaching traffic, visibility, and whether the drivers followed applicable traffic rules.
The New York State Police reported that Gambino stopped at the intersection before attempting to turn left onto Danbury Road. Her Subaru was then struck by the eastbound BMW, which subsequently collided with a Honda traveling in the right lane.
Although police have described the sequence of events, they have not announced whether any driver violated a traffic law. The initial findings should not be treated as a final determination of negligence.
Multi-vehicle accidents can also involve separate questions about how each collision occurred. Investigators may examine whether the first impact caused a vehicle to change direction or enter another lane before striking a third vehicle.
Physical evidence may help establish the sequence of impacts. Vehicle damage, roadway debris, tire marks, photographs, and witness statements can provide information about vehicle positions and movements immediately before and after the collision.
New York follows a pure comparative negligence system. Under this rule, an injured person’s compensation may be reduced by their percentage of responsibility, but partial fault does not automatically prevent recovery.
People researching a car accident near me or a car accident near Southeast should also understand New York’s no-fault automobile insurance system. Eligible individuals injured in covered motor vehicle accidents may receive certain medical and wage-loss benefits through personal injury protection coverage, regardless of who caused the collision.
However, no-fault benefits have limits, and eligibility depends on the circumstances and applicable insurance coverage. Claims for pain and suffering generally require meeting New York’s serious injury threshold or another applicable legal exception.
When a collision causes a death, surviving family members may have questions about funeral expenses, lost financial support, and other losses. Under New York law, a wrongful death action is generally brought by the deceased person’s personal representative for the benefit of eligible distributees.
New York wrongful death claims generally focus on legally recognized financial losses resulting from the death. Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the value of certain services the deceased person would have provided.
A separate survival claim may also be available for certain damages the deceased person could have pursued if they had survived. The specific damages available depend on the facts and applicable law.
New York generally allows three years to file negligence-based personal injury lawsuits. Wrongful death actions are generally subject to a two-year limitations period measured from the date of death, although exceptions and special rules may affect these deadlines.
Claims involving public entities may require earlier notice. For certain claims, New York law requires a notice of claim within 90 days, making it important to identify potentially responsible parties and applicable filing requirements.
Medical documentation may also become important for individuals injured in multi-vehicle collisions. Emergency treatment records, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation recommendations, and documentation of missed work may help establish the extent of an injured person’s losses.
In the Southeast collision, the 19-year-old BMW driver was transported to Danbury Hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. However, authorities have not released further information about his treatment or recovery.
An official car accident report and the New York State Police investigation may eventually provide additional information about the collision at Dingle Ridge Road and Route 6/202. Although the sequence of vehicle impacts has been reported, authorities have not announced a final determination concerning responsibility.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
This article reflects information reported by Daily Voice on November 4, 2026, and attributed to New York State Police. Additional details may become available as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the fatal three-vehicle collision.
- Woman killed: Helen T. Gambino, 87, of Brewster, sustained fatal injuries in the collision. She was transported to Danbury Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
- Crash location: The accident occurred near 3402 Danbury Road (Route 6/202), at its intersection with Dingle Ridge Road in Southeast, Putnam County. State Police reported that the collision happened at approximately 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3.
- Three vehicles involved: A 2024 Subaru, a 2015 BMW, and a 2009 Honda were involved in the collision. Police reported that the Subaru overturned after being struck by the BMW, which subsequently collided with the Honda.
- **One a