On Thursday the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office provided an extensive update on the serious two-car crash that shut down part of State Route 318 the night before for hours, and resulted in one person being airlifted to a hospital.
On Wednesday around 7:15 p.m. deputies responded to a serious personal injury crash on Route 318 in the town of Junius. According to investigators, a 2013 Mercedes Benz being operated by Shyquest K. Powell, 20, of Syracuse was traveling east in a reckless manner when it rear ended a 2009 Pontiac Vibe, being operated by Brett Rising, 66, of Junius.
The Vibe exited the roadway on the south side of Route 318- rolling several times before coming to rest along a utility pole. Deputies say Rising was ejected from the vehicle and sustained life-threatening injuries.
The Mercedes came to rest in the middle of the roadway when the driver, Powell, and a 17 year old female passenger exited the vehicle and attempted to flee the scene on foot to evade police.
The two females were picked up by a passing motorist who was not involved in the accident. Witnesses report the two females from the Mercedes were loading a large quantity of clothing from their vehicle to the passing motorist’s vehicle before leaving the scene. That vehicle was subsequently pulled over on State Route 5 in the Town of Seneca Falls by members of the Seneca Falls Police Department and Sheriff’s Office.
Powell and the 17-year-old were taken into custody without further incident. Neither suffered injuries in the wreck.
Rising was treated at the scene by North Seneca Ambulance and airlifted by Life Net to Strong Memorial Hospital for further treatment.
As result of the subsequent investigation- deputies found that Powell and the 17-year-old were in possession of a large quantity of stolen merchandise from stores in- and around the area.
Powell was charged with felony reckless endangerment, felony criminal possession of stolen property, felony leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, and issued a number of traffic citations.
The sheriff’s office says that Powell was released due to the state’s bail reform initiative and will appear in Junius Town Court at a later date.
The 17-year-old was charged with criminal possession of stolen property. She was released on an appearance ticket and will answer the charges at a later date.
Both vehicles involved in the crash sustained serious damage and the road remained closed for hours. The investigation remains active. Agencies assisting at the scene included New York State Police, Seneca Falls Police Department, Junius Fire Department, North Seneca Ambulance, and Life Net Air Medical.
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