Dr. Monika I. Woroniecka, a 58-year-old pediatrician known for her work in children’s allergy and immunology, was tragically killed on Saturday, April 6, 2024 when she was thrown from a moving Airstream trailer.
The incident 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 view the total solar eclipse. Brownville is a small town in Jefferson County, roughly 290 miles north and slightly west of New York City.
Dr. Woroniecka’s husband, Robert P. Woroniecka, 59, had been driving the pickup truck that was pulling the 2024 Airstream trailer. For the final 20 minutes of their journey, Dr. Woroniecka and her eldest daughter, Helena, decided to ride inside the trailer.
After the family had stopped for ice cream at a Stewart’s gas station in Brownville, a spokesperson for the New York State Police stated that an accident occurred. A door on the trailer’s passenger side had swung open while in transit. As Dr. Woroniecka tried to shut it, holding onto the door handle, she fell out of the trailer and hit her head on the edge of the road. She was rushed to Samaritan Medical Center’s Emergency Room in Watertown, New York where she succumbed to her injuries.
Dr. Woroniecka, originally from Poland, was a respected physician at Stony Brook Medicine on Long Island, where she had been working since the early 2000s. She was known for attracting Polish-speaking families from far and wide, a testament to her commitment and the trust she inspired among her patients and their families. She was also an avid traveler, hiker, and fitness enthusiast, who loved spending time with her family and friends.
On Monday, Stony Brook Medicine expressed “deep regret and extended their thoughts to her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”
This accident underlines the risks associated with passengers riding in trailers. Airstream has stated that it advises against this practice, and New York state law prohibits passengers in a moving travel trailer. This tragic event underscores the importance of adhering to safety measures while traveling, particularly in situations not designed for passenger transportation.
