A sheriff’s deputy and a motorist are both recovering in stable condition following a collision on Route 5 in Hopewell on Monday night.
The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office identified the deputy as Molly Turnbull, 30, and the motorist as Ponell Kittles, 35, of Canandaigua. The crash occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on Dec. 9 when Deputy Turnbull was responding to an emergency call for assistance during a roadside arrest.
According to the sheriff’s office, a New York State Trooper had requested backup while making an arrest on Route 5 in the Town of Canandaigua. As Deputy Turnbull was traveling westbound in emergency mode, her patrol vehicle collided with an eastbound SUV driven by Kittles, just west of Mumby Road.
Deputy Turnbull sustained serious injuries and required extrication by a sheriff’s sergeant and a firefighter. She was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital by Canandaigua Ambulance and underwent surgery for internal injuries. She remains in the trauma ICU but is alert and communicating, according to officials.
Kittles also remains hospitalized at Strong Memorial Hospital with a leg injury and is in stable condition.
The crash is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit and the Investigative Division. Authorities remained at the scene for three hours following the collision.
Sheriff David Cirencione expressed gratitude to the first responders, medical staff, and the community for their support. “We are thankful that both the deputy and Mr. Kittles are recovering,” Cirencione said in a statement.
The sheriff’s office acknowledged assistance at the scene from the New York State Police, Hopewell and Manchester Fire Departments, Canandaigua Ambulance, Stanley-Hall-Gorham Ambulance, and the Ontario County Emergency Management Office.
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