Herkimer County man on motorized wheelchair hit, killed

COLUMBIA, N.Y. (AP) - Authorities say a 49-year-old man has died after he was hit by a vehicle while operating his motorized wheelchair on a rural road in Herkimer County.

State police say 55-year-old Maureen Meyerhoff of Richfield Springs was driving on state Route 28 in the southern Herkimer County town of Columbia around 4 p.m. Tuesday when she hit George Hotaling, also of Richfield Springs in neighboring Otsego County.

Troopers say Hotaling was on a motorized wheelchair when he entered the road way and was struck by Meyerhoff's vehicle when she couldn't avoid him.

Hotaling was airlifted to Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, where he died from his injuries.

Troopers say their investigation into the accident is continuing.