Route 294 re-opens in wake of double fatal collision between SUV and tractor trailer rig

ONEIDA COUNTY- Updates have surfaced from Thursday morning’s fatal head-on collision between Boonville and West Leyden, NY.

Sheriff’s investigators say it happened sometime around 7:00 a.m. on State Route 294, just east of the landfill near the Gleasman Road in the town of Ava.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a Volkswagen SUV was heading east when the driver moved from their lane and entered the opposite lane of travel.

The SUV ended up striking an oncoming westbound single cab Mack tractor trailer, which was hauling a load of material.

Both the driver and passenger in the SUV were pronounced deceased at the scene. Meanwhile, the truck driver was airlifted by Mercy Flight to SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY for further treatment for what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries.

The accident is still under investigation and the names of the parties involved have yet to be formally released at this time.

State Route 294 has since been re-opened to regular traffic.

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the New York State Police, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of Transportation, Grower’s Collision and Towing, Shufelt’s Garage, Mercy Flight, Boonville Ambulance and Fire Department, West Leyden Ambulance and Fire Department, and Rockers Automotive Rescue Inc.

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