WASHINGTON — Rather than friends and family being able to celebrate Madison Lynch-Dingee’s 17th birthday with her on Tuesday, Dec. 28, they turned out instead to say goodbye to her with heavy hearts — Madison forever 16.
The Salt Point teenager died in a two-car fatal crash on State Route 82 in the town of Washington just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21, days before she was to turn 17.
Her parents, Louise M. Lynch and Richard Dingee, said their good-byes to their daughter in the middle of what should have instead been a joyous celebration.
Services were held at the Allen Funeral Home in Millbrook on the 28th from 4 to 7 p.m.
A junior at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, Madison was an honor student who was fond of many activities, including myriad winter sports, horseback riding, lacrosse and country music.
Madison’s school announced on social media that it was offering support services to help students cope with the tragic loss of their classmate and friend.
According to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), which investigated the accident, a Sheriff’s Deputy discovered the crash while on routine patrol on Route 82 near North Shanks Road.
A preliminary investigation showed that Madison was driving a 2011 Subaru while traveling northbound on Route 82 at “an unsafe speed” while trying to pass a 2016 Acura, according to the DCSO.
The accident report stated the driver of the Acura was unaware Madison was trying to pass and attempted to make a left turn onto North Shanks Road.
It further stated “The Subaru then [struck] the Acura, [exited] the roadway off the western shoulder and ultimately [struck] a tree.”
At 16, Madison would have only recently earned her driver’s license under New York State law.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Madison passed away at the scene. The occupants of the Acura were uninjured.
As of the issuance of the police report, no charges had been filed.
Capt. John Watterson of the DCSO stated while the cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Crash Investigation Unit and Detective Bureau, at this time unsafe speed on the part of the Subaru appears to be a primary factor.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the New York State Police, the Dutchess County Medical Examiner, the Millbrook fire department and Northern Dutchess Paramedics. More information may be released as it becomes available.
In addition to her parents, Madison also leaves behind three siblings.
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