The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal…

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred around 11:30 last night on Route 365 in the Town of Westmoreland. According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a two car motor vehicle accident in the Westbound lane of Route 365 near Blackmans Corners Road.

Sheriff Maciol said that 20 year old Joshua Parker of Utica was on his way to work when he had vehicle trouble. Parker put on his 4 way flashers and continued West on Rt. 365 at a reduced speed trying to get to a Sav-On, when he was struck from behind by a car driven by 40 year old Lance Johnson of Oneonta, who was transporting medical test samples to a lab.

Parker was treated at the scene by members of the Westmoreland Fire Department. He was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital by Central Oneida County Ambulance where he was treated for nonlife threatening injuries. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene, and was transported to the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death.

As a result of the accident, the West Bound lane of Route 365 was shut down for several hours while Sheriff’s investigators reconstructed the scene.

At this point, there is no evidence of foul play. Intoxication does not appear to be a factor.

The investigation into the cause of the crash is continuing.

Deputies were assisted by members of the Westmoreland Fire Department, Central Oneida County Ambulance, and NYS DOT.