Dr. Monika I. Woroniecka, a renowned pediatrician and children’s allergy and immunology specialist of 58 years, tragically died on Saturday, April 6, 2024, following an accident where she was thrown from a moving Airstream trailer.

The fatal incident occurred 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 observe the total solar eclipse. The location of the accident, Brownville, is in Jefferson County, roughly 290 miles to the north and west of New York City.

Dr. Woroniecka and her husband, 59-year-old Robert P. Woroniecka, were on their journey in a pickup truck, pulling a 2024 Airstream trailer. Dr. Woroniecka and her eldest daughter, Helena, had chosen to spend the final leg of their journey, a roughly 20-minute ride, inside the Airstream.

According to a spokesperson for the New York State Police, the accident took place shortly after the family had stopped for ice cream at a Stewart’s gas station in Brownville. While attempting to secure a trailer door that had swung open, Dr. Woroniecka was propelled from the moving trailer, hitting her head on the edge of the road. She was immediately rushed to the Emergency Room at Samaritan Medical Center in nearby Watertown, New York where she later succumbed to her injuries.

A native of Poland, Dr. Woroniecka was a highly respected physician at Stony Brook Medicine on Long Island, where she had been serving since the early 2000s. Her professional dedication attracted Polish-speaking families from afar, showcasing the trust she had earned among her patients and their families. Along with her professional commitments, Dr. Woroniecka also enjoyed traveling, hiking, exercising, and spending time with her loved ones.

Stony Brook Medicine expressed their sorrow on Monday, stating they felt “deep regret and extended thoughts to her family, friends, and colleagues during this sad time.”

The accident has underscored the risks associated with passengers riding in trailers. Airstream has stated that it discourages such practices, noting that it’s unlawful in New York to transport passengers in a travel trailer while it is moving. This unfortunate event highlights the significance of adhering to safety measures while traveling, particularly when using vehicles not designed for passenger transportation.