Two seriously injured after head-on crash in Caroline

New York – The crash happened on September 17, 2026, at approximately 6:50 a.m. Troopers from the New York State Police at Ithaca responded to the 3300 block of Slaterville Road, also known as New York Route 79, after receiving a report of a two-vehicle crash involving injuries.

A preliminary investigation found that a 2010 Chevrolet HHR was traveling east on Slaterville Road when it collided head-on with a westbound 2021 Chevrolet Equinox.

The HHR was operated by Jeffrey Belden, 42, of Richford, New York. The Equinox was driven by Donovan Flanigan, 32, of Newark Valley, New York.

The impact left Belden trapped inside his vehicle. Members of the fire department worked at the scene to extricate him from the Chevrolet HHR.

Belden was initially taken by ambulance to Cayuga Medical Center for treatment. He was later flown by helicopter to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where he was being treated for serious injuries.

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Flanigan also suffered serious injuries in the collision. He was transported by ambulance to Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital for medical treatment.

The crash brought emergency crews to the area during the morning commute. Investigators are now working to determine the circumstances that led to the two vehicles colliding on Slaterville Road.

The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene and is assisting with the investigation. The specialized unit is examining the crash as investigators work to establish what happened before the collision.

Police have not released additional details about what may have caused the vehicles to cross into the path of one another. The preliminary findings describe the crash as a head-on collision, but the investigation has not yet been completed.

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The condition of both drivers was described by police in terms of the serious injuries they were being treated for, but additional information about their medical conditions was not provided.

The investigation remains ongoing. Further details may be released as state police continue examining the crash and gathering information about the events that preceded it.