A local woman was killed following a severe motor vehicle collision in Selkirk that caused one car to crash into a house. 

First responders were called to 1463 River Rd in Selkirk around 5:20 p.m. on Monday, August 19, for a two-car motor vehicle accident with one car reported to be on fire, one car into a house and one of the drivers reported to be having a seizure and another driver. 

Chief Tom Neri of the Selkirk Fire Department soon arrived on scene with an officer of the Bethlehem Police Department and determined no cars were on fire. 

One vehicle, a Mustang with two occupants, was checked on by the police officer. The second vehicle, the car into the house with the driver not breathing, was investigated by Chief Neri. 

Neri says the passenger of the Mustang got out on their own and the driver of the Mustang was removed by the police officer, as the driver was actively having a seizure. 

Neri was at the car that crashed into the house and says a doctor was driving by the accident when it occurred and said the driver was not breathing but he felt a slight pulse. 

“She was pinned and the front left corner of her vehicle was into the house,” Neri said. “I had the doctor come out and check for a pulse again because I didn't feel a pulse.” 

Upon the arrival of Selkirk Fire’s heavy rescue truck, firefighters were ordered to remove the driver's door and the roof of the car within minutes. 

“They [the firefighters] started that and I started chest compressions on her in the car,” Neri said. “That isn’t the best way to do it because I had no backboard behind her, but I was trying.” 

After beginning compressions, Neri said it was apparent the driver had a broken neck and he discontinued chest compressions after the paramedic confirmed the driver was deceased. 

Firefighters then assisted EMS with lifting the other driver, who was still actively experiencing a seizure, onto the stretcher and into the ambulance. 

“The preliminary investigation shows that a car driven by Jacklyn M. Parker, age 24 of Troy, NY, was traveling northbound on River Road when her vehicle crossed over the double yellow center lines, crashing into a vehicle that was traveling southbound,” according to a statement from Bethlehem Police. 

“The driver of the southbound vehicle was identified as Colleen M. Selkirk, age 60 of Hannacroix, NY, and she was pronounced dead at the scene,” Police said. “Parker, along with her passenger, were transported to Albany Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.” 

Chief Neri says the car that crashed into the house caused six concrete blocks to be knocked out of the foundation. 

Neri said the Mustang was an electric vehicle and crews were able to locate the emergency shutoff to de-energize the battery. 

Police say Parker was arrested and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Ability Impaired by Drugs. 

Parker was released and given a return date for September 3 at the Town of Bethlehem Court. 

River Road was closed from Maple Avenue to Fox Street in Coeymans for approximately nine hours while the investigation was ongoing. 

Coeymans Police was notified to advise the Port of Coeymans not to send any truck traffic northbound on River Road.

The crash is still under investigation by the Bethlehem Police Department and the Albany County Crash Investigation Team. 

Selkirk Fire, Delmar-Bethlehem EMS, Albany County Paramedics, Bethlehem Police and Albany County Sheriff’s responded to the scene, with the assistance of Coeymans Police for road closures. 

Police could not be reached when asked about an update on any additional charges as of this report.