HERKIMER COUNTY, N.Y. — A late-night head-on collision in the Town of Newport has left one man dead and two others injured, according to New York State Police. The crash occurred on Butler Road around 9:17 p.m. Monday, September 30, when a pickup truck veered across the centerline and struck an oncoming van.
Authorities identified the victim as 59-year-old Rodney K. Dodge of Utica. Dodge was driving a 2024 Ford Transit Connect van when it collided with a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction. Troopers said the Silverado, driven by a Newport man, lost control while navigating a curve and entered the westbound lane, directly into the path of Dodge’s van. The two vehicles collided head-on with devastating force.
Emergency responders arrived to find Dodge critically injured inside his vehicle. Despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in Dodge’s van, whose name has not yet been released, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Wynn Hospital for treatment. Authorities said that person is expected to recover.
The Silverado’s driver also suffered serious injuries in the crash. Due to the severity of the wreck, he was airlifted from the scene by Mercy Flight and taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. Officials confirmed that while his injuries were significant, they were not considered life-threatening.
The collision prompted a large emergency response. In addition to New York State Police, crews from the Newport Fire Department, Mercy Flight, and Kuyahoora Valley Ambulance assisted with medical treatment, traffic control, and the removal of wreckage. Butler Road was shut down for several hours overnight while investigators reconstructed the crash and cleared debris. The roadway reopened to traffic early Tuesday morning.
Investigators are still working to determine what caused the Silverado to lose control. State Police said they are examining factors such as road conditions, speed, and possible impairment, though no charges have been filed at this time. The fatal crash has shaken the Utica community, where Dodge was remembered as a longtime resident whose sudden loss has left family and friends in mourning. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact New York State Police as the investigation continues.