Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident

According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, on March 25, 2018 at about 12:56 A.M., Deputies responded to State Route 49 near the Rome Oriskany Rd. ramp in the City of Rome for a reported serious personal injury motor vehicle accident. As part of the investigation, Deputies determined that Tonya Springer (48) of Villa Rica, GA was operating a 2017 Freightliner Cascadia with a passenger, Angela Terrelo (51) of Pikeville, KY eastbound on Route 49 when she observed a white passenger car traveling westbound in the eastbound lane in Springer’s lane of travel. Springer attempted to avoid the collision with the white passenger car, but the two vehicles collided head on. The white passenger car, a 2014 Nissan Versa was being operated by Jerry Holmes (34) of Canastota. Holmes was pronounced deceased on scene and Springer along with Terrelo were uninjured in the accident. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit, Forensic Unit and Accident Reconstruction Unit all assisted in investigating the accident. Sheriff members were also assisted by New York State Police, AmCare Ambulance, Rome Fire Department, and Stanwix Heights Fire Department on scene. The accident was reconstructed and remains under investigation.

**Route 49 in the area of this accident is expected to be re-opened by 7:00 A.M.