Update To News release listed below.

Update To News release listed below.

According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, at approximately 9:18 PM on November 18, 2025, a Deputy, assigned to the DWI Unit, conducted a traffic stop on a Lexus SUV while on State Route 365 near the intersection of Greenway New London Road in the Town of Verona.

While investigating the vehicle and traffic infraction, it was discovered that the operator of the vehicle, Brandy LaFlesh, age 46, of the City of Oneida was possibly a wanted person out of Oneida City Court. While the Deputy was attempting to confirm Brandy was in fact a wanted person, she fled the traffic stop in the Lexus SUV west on State Route 365. After Brandy fled the traffic stop, the Deputy did not pursue her as the Oneida County Sheriff's Office has a no pursuit policy unless exigent circumstances are present.

At approximately 9:52 PM, while the Deputy was performing an area check in the area for the Lexus SUV, the Oneida County 911 Center dispatched Law Enforcement to a personal injury motor vehicle accident located on Blackmans Corners Road in the Town of Verona. Upon arrival to the accident, it was discovered that the vehicle involved was the same Lexus SUV that fled the traffic stop. The operator, Brandy LaFlesh, was pronounced deceased at the scene and her front seat passenger, Michael Martino, age 56, of the Town of Lee sustained serious injuries after being ejected from the vehicle. Michael was transported to Wynn Hospital with serious injuries via Vineall Ambulance.

Due to the nature of the accident, the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Unit and Forensic Identification Unit responded to the scene to assist. At this time, the Sheriff's Office is in the process of reconstructing the accident. Blackmans Corners Road was closed for the duration of the investigation but has since been reopened to the public.

Due to the deceased having been involved in a traffic stop initiated by the Sheriff's Office prior to the accident, the New York State Attorney General's Office was contacted as required. Shortly after, the Attorney General's Office arrived on scene to assist. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office was also assisted on scene by the New York State Police, Verona Fire Department and Vineall Ambulance Service.