UPDATE: Police reveal identities of victims in Thursday head-on accident in Ava

AVA- The victims who perished in Thursday morning’s head-on collision have been formally identified by police authorities.

As previously reported, it happened sometime around 7:00 a.m. Thursday on State Route 294, just east of the landfill and near the Gleasman Road.

The accident involved an eastbound Volkswagen Tiguan and a westbound tractor trailer rig.

According to Sheriff’s Investigators, Darrel Gray Jr., 52, from West Leyden, NY was driving the Volkswagen and moved from his lane and entered the opposite lane of travel, subsequently striking the front end of the oncoming tractor trailer rig, which was being operated by Erik Rowland, 46, from Woodgate, NY.

As a result of the collision, Gray’s vehicle had come to rest along the southern shoulder of the roadway, whereas the Rowland’s tractor trailer rig had struck a guardrail and had come to rest along the northern shoulder of the roadway.

Darrel Gray and his passenger, 17-year-old Eleanor (Nora) Gray, were located and pronounced deceased at the scene.

Rowland was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center for what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries.

At this time, the investigation is still ongoing, and additional information may be released at a later time.

Both Darrel and Eleanor (Nora) were part of the Adirondack Central School District. The district will have counselors available for students and staff.

Additionally, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the members of the Oneida County 911 Center for their assistance with coordinating with Mercy Flight who assisted with transporting Rowland to the hospital.

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