Icy road conditions were the cause of a fatal accident that took the life of an Ithaca College student on Saturday.

Senior Erika Watson, 21, died Saturday morning from injuries sustained in a car accident near the intersection of Route 13 and Hanshaw Road in Dryden.

Watson, an art major and psychology minor and a native of Middletown, Conn., was driving her Honda Accord north on Route 13 at 8:30 a.m. when she lost control of the car on an icy portion of the highway.

Her car crossed into the opposite lane and was struck by an oncoming Loomis Fargo armored truck, according to the New York State Police.

Watson was alone in her car and was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither of the two occupants of the other vehicle were injured.

The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigation are participating in an ongoing investigation. Police said no arrests are anticipated.

Watson’s death was the first of four car-related fatalities on Tompkins County highways within a four-day period.

A Cortland woman died Tuesday night in a two-car accident on Route 13 in Dryden.

In addition, two Elmira residents were killed on Monday when their car collided with an oncoming car in the southbound lane of State Route 34 in Lansing.

Calling hours for Watson will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, Conn. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Third Congregational Church, 94 Miner St., in Middletown. Burial will be private.

Erika Watson’s father, Stan Watson, encouraged anyone planning to attend ceremonies memorializing his daughter to wear bright colors.

When several of Erika Watson’s friends died in a car accident during her high school years, she wore yellow to their funerals and Stan Watson said it would be fitting for Erika’s friends to follow her example.

College officials are planning a memorial service and will announce the date and time once the details are finalized.

Students who need help coping with Watson’s death can contact the Counseling Center at 274-3136 or speak with the college chaplains.