Dr. Monika I. Woroniecka, a 58-year-old pediatrician who specialized in children’s allergies and immunology, tragically died on Saturday, April 6, 2024. The unfortunate incident occurred when she was thrown from a moving Airstream trailer.
The fatal accident took place on State Route 12E near Brownville, New York, while Dr. Woroniecka and her family were traveling to an Airbnb in Cape Vincent, New York, to watch the total solar eclipse. Brownville is approximately 290 miles north and a bit west of New York City.
Dr. Woroniecka, along with her oldest daughter, Helena, had chosen to spend the last part of their journey, around a 20-minute drive, inside the 2024 Airstream trailer that was being towed by a pickup truck driven by her husband, Robert P. Woroniecka, 59.
The New York State Police spokesperson stated that the accident occurred shortly after the family had stopped for ice cream at a Stewart’s gas station in Brownville, New York. While trying to close the trailer’s passenger side door that had swung open during the trip, Dr. Woroniecka was thrown out of the trailer, hitting her head on the side of the road. She was immediately rushed to the Emergency Room at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, New York, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Born in Poland, Dr. Woroniecka had a distinguished career at Stony Brook Medicine on Long Island, New York, where she had been serving since the early 2000s. Her dedication and trustworthiness led Polish-speaking families to seek her care from far and wide. Apart from her professional commitments, she cherished travel, hiking, exercise, and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Stony Brook Medicine expressed their “deep regret” over the tragic loss on Monday and extended their thoughts to her family, friends, and colleagues during this challenging time.
This devastating incident underscores the risks associated with passengers riding in trailers. Airstream has stated that they advise against such practices, and it is noteworthy that it is illegal in New York state to have passengers in a travel trailer while it is moving. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of following safety measures while traveling, particularly in vehicles not designed for passenger transport.
