Driver, Passenger Die In Crash

That Prompted ‘Yellow Alert’

NORWICH – A driver and his passenger were killed in an early-morning crash after attempting to pass a tractor trailer on Route 8 in the Town of Norwich, State police investigators reported today after sorting out the deadly episode that had Bassett Hospital on “yellow alert,” anticipating the worst.

At around 7:19 a.m. Thursday, troopers from Sidney and Norwich responded to a Chenango County 911 report of a two-vehicle collision with injuries. Investigation revealed that Yae Yar, 43, of Utica, was operating a 2009 Honda CRV northbound on State Highway 8 when he entered the southbound lane to pass an un-involved tractor trailer. 

His Honda then struck a 2013 Subaru Outback, driven by Joanna L. Stanimer, 27, of West Edmeston, that was traveling southbound. Mr. Yar was pronounced dead at the scene from internal injuries. 

The front seat passenger Me Me, 36, was transported to Tri Town Hospital in Sidney but she was pronounced dead prior to arrival from internal injuries. 

Mrs. Stanimer was air lifted to Wilson Hospital by Lifenet and remains in critical condition with internal injuries. Chenango County Coroner David Hochman responded to the scene and requested that autopsies be performed on both deceased persons at Lourdes Hospital.

A call about the accident came into Bassett Hospital, which prompted the staff to be put on Code Yellow in anticipation of multiple victims.  Maung Mae, 21, Vermont, a passenger in Mr. Yar’s car, was taken to Bassett with head injuries, and the other passengers, May Thazin Moe, 5,  Hasen Ko, 20, and Verm Neh Ya Sin, 34, all of  Vermont, were transported to Wilson Hospital with injuries.
All the passengers are in serious, but stable condition.  This investigation is ongoing.