Troopers investigate fatal crash in Owego UPDATE (3)

Press Release

Update 3: On July 18, 2024, shortly after 1 p.m., New York State Police were dispatched to State Route 17 east near exit 66 in the town of Owego for a serious crash.

An investigation determined that a large group of motorcycles was merging onto State Route 17 east from the exit 66 on ramp. A tractor trailer was already on State Route 17 when one of the motorcycles collided with the tractor trailer. The area where the crash occurred is currently under construction and only one lane of travel.

The operator of the motorcycle, Steven Myszka, age 52 of Olean, NY was injured and transported to Wilson Medical Center. The passenger of the motorcycle, Karie L. VanDeusen, age 52 of Olean, NY did not survive.

The operator of the tractor trailer was interviewed by members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The investigation is on-going.

The eastbound lanes were shut down during the investigation and were reopened shortly after 5:30p.m.

Update 2: State Route 17 has reopened. The investigation continues.

Update 1: New York State Police continue to investigate the crash on State Route 17 in Owego. A tractor trailer and a motorcycle with two occupants collided shortly after 1 p.m. One person is deceased, a second person was transported to Wilson Medical Center.

Traffic remains snarled in the area as State Route 17 in the eastbound direction is still closed between exits 65 and 67 while members of Collision Reconstruction are on scene.

Original Press Release: On July 18, 2024, shortly after 1 p.m., New York State Police were dispatched to the construction area of State Route 17 in the town of Owego for a serious crash.

State Route 17 is closed in the eastbound direction between exits 65 and 67. State Route 434 is being diverted.

The New York State Police is asking the public to avoid the area.

More updates to follow.