Longtime Northumberland supervisor lost family in 1987 bridge collapse

Willard Peck, known as Bill, lost his mom Mary Lou, and his sister Kristy, the day the Thruway bridge collapsed over the Schoharie creek, April 5, 1987.

They were on their way to a baby shower for what was going to be the first grandchild.

The family came to learn Mary Lou and Kristy were driving right on the bridge when it collapsed.

Peck was 17 years old, a senior at Schuylerville High School.

Life was brutally interrupted. However, it did not stop. Peck went to Union College. He played basketball. Then he went to law school at Cornell. He worked in Washington. However, he eventually ended up back home – at his family’s dairy farm in Schuylerville, a decision he feels he made because of losing his mom and sister.

For 19 years, he has been the town supervisor in Northumberland, a town in Saratoga County – population 5,300.

Learn more about the family members Peck lost and why he decided to share his story now by watching the video of Subrina Dhammi’s story.