PARISHVILLE — Former state Assemblywoman Chloe Ann O’Neil was killed in a two-vehicle collision in the town of Dickinson Thursday morning, according to state police.

O’Neil, 75, a longtime Parishville Republican, served in the state’s then-112th Assembly District from 1993 until her retirement in 1998. A former Parishville-Hopkinton Central School teacher, she surprised many when she ran for, and won, the Assembly seat held by her late husband John G.A. O’Neil.

Mr. O’Neil, who spent 12 years in the state Assembly, died in a two-vehicle collision near Sevey’s Corners on Dec. 10, 1992.

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Dickinson accident

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Although an investigation into Thursday’s accident is continuing, an initial report by state police suggests Mrs. O’Neil died as a result of injuries sustained when her sport utility vehicle was allegedly struck by a driver who had failed to yield the right of way at the so-called “four corners” intersection in Dickinson.

O’Neil was pronounced dead at the scene at the intersection of State Route 11B and County Route 5 by Franklin County coroner Brian Langdon, according to police.

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed at a later date.

Police said O’Neil was driving east on state Route 11B about 8:45 a.m. Thursday when a car driven by Angel L. Oliver, 29, Bombay, which was traveling south on Franklin County Route 5, failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign, striking O’Neil’s SUV on the driver’s side.

The impact forced the SUV to roll over and come to rest on the passenger side in a ditch on the south side of the highway, police said.

Oliver was being treated for minor injuries at Malone’s University of Vermont Health Network-Alice Hyde Medical Center late Thursday afternoon, troopers said.

No charges had been issued as of Thursday afternoon, but troopers said the investigation into the crash is continuing.

State police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who was driving in the area at around the time the crash occurred to call 518-483-5000.

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Politician, teacher, painter

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In addition to being a politician and teacher, O’Neil was also a noted amateur painter and longtime supporter of North Country artists and tourism.

St. Lawrence County Legislator Rick Perkins, D-Parishville, said word of O’Neil’s death is a tragedy for the community. He said O’Neil touched countless lives in the tight-knit community, whether as a teacher or during her years in office.

She remained active in politics behind the scenes volunteering her time as an election inspector and organizer.

“It is really sad news,” Perkins said. “Chloe is going to be missed. She was a really great person, and she’s done a lot for this community and communities across the North Country. It’s tragic, especially that her husband died the same way.”

Evan Harper, a retired physical education teacher at Parishville-Hopkinton Central School and a longtime member of the Parishville Volunteer Fire Department, said word of O’Neil’s death has spread quickly throughout the community. He said she was a friend and inspiration to others.

“This is an unbelievable disaster, really,” Harper said. “She was involved in many aspects of our community especially, but also throughout the whole of St. Lawrence County.”

Harper said in addition to her political skills, her reputation as a teacher in the local school system was legendary.

“She was an excellent teacher,” he said. “She had a great way about her of dealing with every single kid in the class, and I know the kids loved her. She was a positive person, in everything she did.”

Parishville town Supervisor Rodney Votra, a Republican, said O’Neil served as a role model for him throughout his life.

She was his teacher in the sixth grade at Parishville, and later when he became politically involved, she was also there to offer advice and guidance.

“It is a huge loss for the community,” he said. “She was a mentor for me, in my current position as supervisor she always stayed in contact. I was very comfortable calling her when I had questions and needed advice or guidance, and she was always there. And if I wasn’t calling her, she was calling me saying, ‘Hey kid, what’s going on now?”

He added, “She’s going to be missed.”

Votra said he will be talking with his town council and others in the community in the coming days to plan a proper remembrance and memorial for O’Neil.