A respected pediatrician tragically passed away when she fell out of her Airstream camper on a New York highway. The incident occurred while she was en route to witness the total solar eclipse with her family on Monday.
According to the New York State Police, Dr. Monika Woroniecka, 58, was involved in an accident where she fell out of the 2024 Gray Airstream. The incident took place on Saturday afternoon on Route 12E in Jefferson County, in the northern part of the state. Dr. Woroniecka’s husband was driving the pick-up truck that was lifting the Airstream at the time of the accident.
According to a news release from the department, Woroniecka and other family members joined the trip in the Airstream for the final 20 minutes of their journey.
According to the news release, witnesses near the Airstream reported that they saw the passenger side door of the vehicle open. They observed Monika Woroniecka’s arm hanging onto the door as it swung open due to the wind. Consequently, she was thrown out of the Airstream.
The doctor’s head then hit the roadside shoulder. The hospital later declared her deceased.
Woroniecka treated children since early 2000s
The department stated that they are currently conducting an ongoing investigation into the tragedy.
Dr. Woroniecka has extensive experience as a doctor at Stony Brook Medicine, specializing in Pediatric Allergy-Immunology. She has been practicing in this field since the early 2000s. In addition to treating children with allergies, asthma, and skin conditions, she also served as a clinical assistant professor, imparting her knowledge of pediatrics to aspiring medical professionals.
Dr. Woroniecka boasts a wealth of experience in assessing children for immune disorders and recurring infections. She takes pleasure in working closely with children and their families, establishing enduring connections while providing guidance through the challenges of chronic allergy-related conditions.
Outside of her professional life, she found solace in the great outdoors, indulging in invigorating hikes, staying active through exercise, and cherishing quality moments with her loved ones.
Traveling to see the solar eclipse
According to the New York Post, a neighbor of Woroniecka and her husband Robert Woroniecka mentioned that the couple was on a trip to witness the total solar eclipse on Monday.
The neighbor, overcome with emotion, expressed sympathy for Robert and his children. In tears, they described the family as kind, good neighbors, and the best in the community (New York Post).
The path of totality stretched across several cities in upstate New York, including Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Jamestown, Rochester, Syracuse, Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, and Watertown.
