Autopsy: N.Y. Man Died of Injuries from Ambulance Crash

May 28--DUANESBURG -- An autopsy performed on the Albany Medical Center patient who was involved in an ambulance crash Wednesday confirmed the man died as a result of the crash.

Schenectady County Sheriff Dominic Dagostino said Saturday that Chris Aernecke, 64, of Rt. 20 in Sloansville, suffered fatal injuries in the accident. He was being driven home from Albany Medical Center after a stay in the hospital when the crash happened, according to police.

Mohawk Ambulance Service and two paramedics provided the non-emergency transport. The ambulance left the road and struck a tree on Rt. 20 shortly after 5 p.m., according to the sheriff's office. Emergency crews who responded pronounced Aernecke dead at the scene. After notifications were made, he was taken to Albany Medical Center for an autopsy that was performed Thursday.

Police are still working to determine the cause of the crash.

"The investigation is still ongoing," said Dagostino. "We're still in the process of investigating why the crash occurred."

The driver of the ambulance, Cody Bryans, 21, was taken to Ellis Hospital after the crash and was later released. The paramedic who was riding in the rear of the ambulance, Alyssa Bevilaqua-Shufelt, 20, was taken to Albany Medical Center and admitted for treatment and observation of her injuries.

Aernecke's sister, Sharon Aernecke Aitchison, said on Facebook that the 1971 graduate of Schoharie High School had been battling cancer and its effects for many years and was in Albany Medical Center for the past week for treatment of an infection and high fever. He was on his way home for family care when the crash occurred.

"It is our prayer that he never knew what happened and did not suffer," she wrote. "He is at peace at last, pain-free, and with our parents."

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