Marcellus, NY (June 21, 2026) – New York State Police responded to a fatal two-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and Slate Hill Road in the Town of Marcellus, Onondaga County at approximately 10:10 a.m. Sunday, according to state police.
A preliminary investigation found that Morgan L. Heise, 18, of Chaumont, was driving a 2024 Subaru northbound on Slate Hill Road and stopped at the intersection with Route 20. State police say Heise then entered the intersection and failed to yield the right of way to an eastbound 2014 Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by Bruce A. Stratton, 55, of Farmington. The collision caused both Bruce Stratton and his passenger, Karyn R. Stratton, 55, also of Farmington, to be ejected from the motorcycle.
Both were transported to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. Karyn Stratton was pronounced dead from her injuries. Bruce Stratton remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to survive. Heise was not injured.
State Police were assisted at the scene by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Marcellus Police Department, Marcellus Ambulance, and Marcellus Fire Department. The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit also responded. No charges have been announced. The investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
Losing a spouse on an ordinary Sunday morning, at an ordinary intersection, leaves a family searching for answers that the investigation alone cannot fully provide.
What to Do After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in New York
When a driver fails to yield at an intersection and kills a motorcyclist, the family left behind has legal rights that run separately from any criminal or traffic process. Here is what the Stratton family and Bruce Stratton’s own injury claim each involve:
- Wrongful death claim: Karyn Stratton’s family may pursue a wrongful death action against the at-fault driver. This can cover funeral and burial costs, the financial contributions she provided, and the loss of her companionship and guidance. In New York, a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of the date of death (EPTL § 5-4.1) — the deadline here is June 21, 2028.
- Personal injury claim for Bruce Stratton: As the operator who was also ejected and seriously injured, Bruce Stratton has a separate personal injury claim. New York’s three-year statute of limitations (CPLR § 214) sets his deadline at June 21, 2029.
- Investigation status and charges: No charges or citations have been announced against the Subaru driver. A civil claim does not require criminal charges — negligence at an intersection can be established independently through the reconstruction evidence, witness accounts, and physical evidence already gathered by the Collision Reconstruction Unit.
- Evidence timeline: Intersection footage, black box data from the Subaru, and the reconstruction findings should be formally preserved now, before the investigation closes and records become harder to obtain.
New York follows a pure comparative fault standard, meaning Bruce Stratton’s claim is not eliminated even if insurers raise questions about speed or positioning. Each party’s degree of fault affects the outcome — it does not eliminate recovery.
Contact Our Upstate New York Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Karyn Stratton’s family deserves space to grieve. They also deserve to understand what comes next, without pressure and without having to navigate insurance adjusters alone while that grief is still fresh.
Stanley Law’s motorcycle accident lawyers serving Upstate NY and Upstate NY wrongful death lawyers have handled cases just like this one — crashes where a driver pulled into an intersection and changed everything for a family in an instant. With our main office in Syracuse and 90+ years of combined experience across Onondaga County and the surrounding region, we know this area, these roads, and what it takes to hold a negligent driver accountable.
The Collision Reconstruction Unit’s findings and the Subaru’s data are already being gathered. Making sure your family has independent access to that evidence, and that it is preserved correctly, is the most time-sensitive step right now.
There are no upfront costs. We do not collect a fee unless we recover for you.
Why Upstate New York families trust Stanley Law:
- 90+ years of combined legal experience handling personal injury cases across Upstate New York and Northern Pennsylvania
- Joe Stanley is Board Certified in Civil Trial Practice by the American Board of Trial Advocacy — a credential held by fewer than 1% of trial lawyers nationwide
- Joe Stanley has been recognized by Super Lawyers for 18 consecutive years (2008–2026)
- BBB A+ rating and 4.7-star Google rating across hundreds of verified reviews
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You can also reach us through our contact page. If Bruce Stratton or another family member is still recovering and cannot travel, we will come to the hospital or to your home.
