WESTVILLE -- A Sand Road woman was killed Tuesday night when she was struck by a car while walking her dog.

Joy A. Wilson, 61, died of a skull fracture, according to an autopsy conducted at Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone by Dr. Leonardo Dishman.

Her death has been ruled an accident by Franklin County Coroner Brian Langdon.

Wilson was walking with her dog along Sand Road, not far from her home, about 8:20 p.m. when she was struck from behind by a car operated by Edward F. Pannhurst, 59, of 511 Sand Road, Malone-based State Police said. Her dog was also hit and killed.

"He (Pannhurst) had known her for 30 years and is pretty distraught over this whole thing," said Investigator David Hart of the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

"He had medical conditions that possibly contributed to his crossing into the other lane, but we don't know for sure.

"There was no alcohol involved, and he was not speeding."

Pannhurst lost his left arm and leg while serving in Vietnam with the U.S. Army in 1968.

A collision-reconstruction team investigated the accident and is compiling a report of its findings. That report will be discussed with Franklin County District Attorney Derek Champagne, who will decide if any criminal charges will be lodged.

Wilson had lived on the family homestead, never married and had no children. But she came from a large family that included a brother and several sisters, to whom she remained very close.

She was a founding member of the Westville Historical Organization, according to President Susan Tobias, and frequently volunteered her time and energy toward fundraising projects for the group.

She had a deep interest in researching and preserving local history and also belonged to local grange chapters, as well as the Westville Fire Department Auxiliary.

Wilson was frequently a substitute teacher at the St. Regis Mohawk School in Akwesasne.

Colleagues there said teachers would specifically ask for Wilson when they needed a substitute because she was so good with the children put in her care.

draymo@pressrepublican.com