Rock Hill resident describes near‑fatal crash, urges county enforcement at Katrina Falls Road access

Britney Blackburn, a Rock Hill resident, told the Sullivan County Legislature that a vehicle drove off the access road near her house on the evening of Aug. 18 and skidded about 85 feet into a tree in her front yard, narrowly missing her family.

"Monday night could have been deadly. My daughter could have been killed," Blackburn said. She told legislators the vehicle rolled into the tree after leaving a hike with nine passengers; airbags deployed and the vehicle was totaled but occupants sustained only minor injuries.

Blackburn said she and other residents have repeatedly told local officials — the town of Thompson, sheriff’s department, fire department, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and state troopers — that increased use of the hiking access since the 2020 pandemic has created parking, trespass and reckless‑driving issues. She said the town enacted new parking laws and signage in June 2024, but the problems have continued.

"Laws mean nothing without the proper enforcement," she told the Legislature. "We should not have to call for this to be done."

Legislators and residents who spoke during the public comment period described multiple recent collisions near trail access points and urged quicker county action. One legislator said the county’s sheriff department and state troopers have been involved in responses but that residents still feel enforcement is inconsistent; another attendee who said he had been a law enforcement officer described a day that had produced multiple motor vehicle accidents across the county.

Potential short‑term solutions mentioned at the meeting included speed bumps, cameras, and increased patrols. Legislator Louie Alvarez acknowledged the problem and told Blackburn he would look into the matter. Later in the meeting a legislator said the sheriff’s office had towed eight cars from the area in the previous week, and participants discussed the possibility of contracting with townships for additional patrols, which would require budget decisions.

Speakers emphasized that some access points are dead‑end roads used primarily by residents and that visitor parking and river access have created conflicts at narrow roads and one‑lane sections. Several speakers urged preventive measures rather than reaction after accidents.

Blackburn asked for coordinated enforcement among the town, sheriff’s office and state agencies and said she would keep pursuing the issue until residents see sustained action. Legislators asked for follow‑up and pledged to pursue additional information with the sheriff’s office.