According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, the…

According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, the Sheriff's Office investigated a fatal motor vehicle accident in the eastbound lane of Rt. 49 in the Town of Floyd.

On November 22, 2024, at approximately 10:30 pm an Oneida County Sheriff’s Deputy was driving in his marked patrol vehicle eastbound on Rt. 49 in the Town of Whitestown, when he witnessed a vehicle ahead of him traveling westbound in the eastbound lane approaching him. The deputy witnessed the approaching vehicle nearly strike another vehicle in front of him, and nearly struck him as it passed by. The deputy activated the emergency lights on the patrol vehicle and spun around in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop or pull over for a short distance before it struck a 2025 Volvo truck and trailer driven by Franklyn Hummel, age 64 of West Virginia, causing both of the vehicles to catch on fire. The deputy exited the patrol vehicle and attempted to get the driver out of the vehicle, which was identified as a 2022 Ford Explorer, but unfortunately, was unable to do so before the vehicle became overcome by the fire. The Deputy was able to ensure the driver of the Volvo truck escaped the fire. Hummel was evaluated at the scene by AmCare Ambulance and was not injured.

The driver of the Explorer died as a result of the accident. Their identity will be determined by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Floyd Fire Department, Holland Patent Fire Department, Maynard Fire Department, Stittville Fire Department, Oriskany Fire Department, the New York State Police, NYSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, and the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Anyone who may have seen a gray in color 2022 Ford Explorer in the area is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Unit at (315) 765-2725.