Monika Woroniecka: New York doctor dies after falling out of moving trailer during a family road trip
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: A tragic accident occurred when Dr Monika Woroniecka, a children’s allergy and immunology specialist from Long Island, New York, fell out of a moving trailer.
The incident happened on Saturday, April 6, around 3 pm, while she was on a family road trip to watch the eclipse.
Dr Monika Woroniecka's family road trip turns tragic
According to a press release by New York State Police, the door of the 2024 Airstream trailer unexpectedly flew open on State Route 12E in Watertown, leading to the unfortunate death of the 58-year-old doctor.
The accident occurred when her husband was driving the 2019 Dodge Ram pulling the trailer.
“Witnesses behind the Airstream claimed they saw the passenger side door of the Airstream open, Monika Woroniecka’s arm hanging on the door after the wind caused the door to swing open, causing her to be thrown from the Airstream,” read the press release.
Trooper Jack Keller of the New York State Police told Fox News that the family was headed north to view the eclipse and that Dr Woroniecka’s daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend were in the trailer when the door opened.
Investigation into the circumstances of the accident
Dr Woroniecka was flung from the trailer and struck her head on the shoulder of the roadway.
First responders rushed her to Samaritan Medical Center’s emergency room, where she soon succumbed to her injuries.
State police are currently investigating the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
“We’re still trying to determine whether the door was left ajar or blew open,” Keller said. “I think she was just trying to close it – it’s just too early to determine exactly if that was the case," he added.
"Maybe she heard wind coming through which drew her attention to that door. Somehow the door comes open and the wind forces her out the door –then she strikes her head to the ground," he said further.
Remembering Dr Monika Woroniecka
Dr Woroniecka had been working as a physician at Stony Brook Medicine since the early 2000s, according to her bio on the hospital’s website.
“It’s a horrific tragedy for this poor family. I’m sure they weren’t prepared to deal with a situation like this,” Keller said on Monday.
“In addition to treating children with food, environmental, medications, and bee stings allergies, she treats childhood asthma and skin conditions like eczema and hives,” the bio read.
“Dr. Woroniecka has extensive experience evaluating children for immunity disorders and frequent infections," it continued. "She enjoys working with children and their families and developing a long-term relationship with families while guiding them through chronic allergy-related conditions."
Dr Woroniecka’s native language was Polish, which “[drew] Polish-speaking families from far distances."
It also mentioned that she liked to travel, hike, exercise, and spend time with family and friends.
“Stony Brook Medicine is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of one of our esteemed colleagues over the weekend, Dr. Monika Woroniecka, a physician at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital,” hospital officials told Fox News.
“Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues affected by this heartbreaking event," they added.
