A serious multi-vehicle crash occurred near Smiley’s on State Route 13 in the town of Newfield on Tuesday, August 1, at 3:32 p.m., resulting in eight people being hospitalized, including several children.
New York State Police at Ithaca reported that three vehicles were involved: a Honda Odyssey, Chevrolet Traverse, and a Ford Escape. As the Odyssey was preparing to make a left turn and the Traverse was slowing down to stop, the Escape rear-ended the Traverse, pushing it into the Odyssey.
The drivers of the Odyssey and Traverse, along with a 15-year-old passenger in the Odyssey and the two occupants of the Traverse, reported minor injuries or pain. The Escape, driven by 24-year-old Chantee M. Besse of Elmira, instigated the crash and contained four passengers, including three children aged 3, 7, and 10. Besse and the 57-year-old passenger were sent to hospitals for pain treatment, while the children were transported to medical centers for leg/hip injuries and a head injury sustained by the toddler.
The current conditions of the victims are not known at this time.
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