Driver who crashed car into Chenango River in critical condition; deputy lauded for effort

Neal Simon, Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
·2 min read

A Johnson City man remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday night after the car he was driving veered across Interstate 88 on Friday, struck a guide rail near the Exit 3 on-ramp in Fenton and plunged into the Chenango River.

Officials credited Broome County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Hamilton with battling a swift current and choppy waters to pull 21-year-old driver Colby Degnan out of the water shortly after the 11:30 a.m. crash.

Hamilton, along with Broome County Sheriff’s Detective Matt Barcak, immediately began CPR on Degnan, who was unresponsive, and continued those efforts until EMS arrived.

Degnan was listed in critical condition Monday night in UHS Wilson Medical Center, the sheriff's office said.

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Sheriff's officials said a passenger in the 1991 Honda sedan, 21-year-old Colleen Bobola of Johnson City, swam to shore after both she and Degnan escaped the sinking vehicle and climbed on its roof.

After making it out of the river, Bobola called 911 and provided real-time updates on the location of Degnan so responding deputies could locate him, the sheriff's office said.

Bobola was taken to Wilson hospital for treatment of minor injuries and released.

Using a drone, investigators located the sunken vehicle, however, due to the hazardous river conditions, recovery has been delayed until the water level drops, officials said.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Accident Reconstruction Unit is investigating and the cause of the crash has not been released.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by the New York state Department of Transportation, the Port Crane Fire Department and Broome Volunteer Ambulance.

Mark Hamilton, a Broome County Sheriff's Office deputy.
Mark Hamilton, a Broome County Sheriff's Office deputy.
Matt Barcak, a Broome County Sheriff’s Office detective.
Matt Barcak, a Broome County Sheriff’s Office detective.

Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said Hamilton and Barcak performed acts of "unquestionable bravery and resilience" in quickly aiding Degnan.

"Deputy Hamilton and detective Barcak’s actions have made our entire team and this entire community exceedingly proud, and our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Degnan and his family for a full and swift recovery," Akshar said.

Neal Simon on Twitter @HornellTribNeal. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Chenango River crash: Sheriff's deputy pulled driver from water