LAKE PLACID — A Jay woman died and her husband is in the hospital after a car collision Wednesday.

Richard Apelt, 73, and his wife Susan Apelt, 64, were traveling east on state Route 86 shortly before 2 p.m. when they collided with a car driven by Caroline Kessell, 19, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, according to state police. Richard was driving, they said.

Susan was pronounced dead at the scene, Richard was transported to the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh and Kessell was not injured, police said. Susan was removed to CVPH where an autopsy will be performed, police said.

State troopers and the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department responded to the crash at 1:51 p.m. According to the fire department, the site of the collision was past Cobble Hill Road and before the “Cherry Patch,” a pull-off before River Road,

In a phone interview Wednesday night, State Police Sgt. Zac Eppler said weather played a part in the crash.

“The conditions were very poor, and the roads were not the best,” he said.

The Apelts reside in AuSable Acres, a private residential community in Jay. One of their neighbors is Knut Sauer, who was recently elected to the Jay Town Council.

“(Susan) was always very sweet and kind and happy-go-lucky,” he said. “I think we’re all going to miss her. I know everybody will be ready to support Richard when he gets back.”

Sauer said the Apelts would often participate in town cleanups, picking up trash in their community and along state Route 9N.

Sauer is also on the Rotary Club of AuSable Valley with Richard. Richard serves as the group’s sergeant of arms.

“He’s the person that keeps the meetings on topic,” said Rotary Club Vice President Christopher Straight. “If someone starts talking about non-rotary stuff, he can make you pay a dollar fine. He’s kind of like our sheriff.

“We’re all very upset. Susan was a lovely lady — full of life with a good sense of humor. She was very kind and very sweet.”