Police probe crash that killed Yonkers woman, 25
YONKERS – Authorities on Friday were investigating what caused a fiery one-car crash on Palmer Road in which a 25-year-old Yonkers woman was killed.
The victim, who died late Thursday after her 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt struck a guardrail and burst into flames, was identified by police as Brittany Alfarone.
Alfarone was found behind the wheel of the car after firefighters extinguished the fire. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the 11:27 p.m. crash near Gramercy Avenue, Yonkers Assistant Fire Chief David Gower said the first firefighters on the scene found the car engulfed in flames. About 10 firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze within 5 minutes, but the damage had already been done, he said.
"We put the fire out and there was an occupant within the car," Gower said. "It was obvious that nobody would survive the scene that we pulled up on. (The car) was totally involved in fire."
Police were investigating a number of angles Friday, including witness reports that Alfarone was driving erratically before the crash and the possibility that mechanical troubles with her car may have been a contributing factor.
The model year of Alfarone's Cobalt — made by General Motors — was recalled in February after the car's ignition switch was found to malfunction, abruptly shutting down the engine.
"Accident investigations take some time," Yonkers police Detective Lt. Patrick McCormack said Friday. "Looking at possible recalls is standard procedure, which our investigators will be doing."
Alfarone's family could not be reached Friday, but a manager at Bar'Lees Wine & Whiskey Bar in downtown Mamaroneck confirmed she had worked there. The manager, who declined further comment, would not give his name. The 25-year-old had worked at the bar for about a month.
It appeared Alfarone, who was traveling alone, was driving west on Palmer Road before the crash. What caused the car to burst into flames after striking the guardrail was not yet clear.
Staff writer David McKay Wilson contributed information for this report.