TOWN OF TRENTON — A rear-end collision on Mapledale Road sent four people to area hospitals Monday afternoon.

Sheriff’s deputies said at about 1 p.m. John Sweeney, 70, of Newport, Herkimer County, was driving his 1985 Dodge pickup westbound on Mapledale when he slowed down while approaching the railroad tracks and was struck from behind by a 2016 Jeep Cherokee, operated by Shaun Mullins, 39, of Holland Patent.

The impact of the collision caused Sweeney’s vehicle to collide with a railroad crossing sign, where it came to rest on the west shoulder of the railroad tracks.

Mullins’ vehicle continued west, struck railroad machinery and eventually came to rest in the middle of the roadway, deputies said. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage.   

It was later determined that a passenger in Sweeney’s truck, Sandra Sweeney, 68, sustained serious injuries, along with the driver. Both were transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Utica, for further treatment.

Mullins and his passenger, Timothy Lyons, 38, of Trenton, suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to St. Luke’s Hospital, New Hartford, for treatment, deputies said.

The road remained closed for several hours during the crash investigation.

Barneveld Fire Department, state police, Kunkel, Kuyahoora Ambulance and Prospect Ambulance assisted.