Verona, NY (November 11, 2026) – An 80-year-old driver was airlifted after a head-on crash on State Route 31, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office said. It took place around 5:28 p.m. on November 11 at State Route 31 and Irish Ridge Road in Verona.
Jackie M. Centolella, 80, of Utica, was driving a 2001 Toyota Camry west, deputies said. Mark S. Bellows, 65, of Durhamville was driving a 2011 Ford Expedition east, and the two vehicles collided head-on.
Centolella was flown by Mercy Flight to SUNY Upstate. Bellows was not injured, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Vineall Ambulance, Sylvan Beach Fire Department, and Durhamville Fire Department also responded. The investigation is pending.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
Head-On Crash Claims in New York: Five Questions Drivers Ask
The Federal Highway Administration says head-on crashes are the most harmful event in about 14% of all US traffic deaths. Because the investigation is pending, none of these answers assumes which driver crossed the line. Drivers and passengers hurt in one tend to raise the same five questions:
Who is at fault when two vehicles meet head-on?
That depends on the evidence. Investigators look at the point of impact, debris, tire marks, vehicle data, and witness accounts.
What if police have not named a cause?
A civil claim is built on all the proof available, and a first police impression is only one piece of it.
Where do I begin after a head-on collision?
Get treated and keep every record, ask the Sheriff’s Office for the report, and do not let either vehicle be salvaged yet.
Can someone who walked away still have a claim?
Possibly. Vehicle damage and delayed symptoms can both support a claim, so see a doctor within 72 hours. Mention every ache, since symptoms can build over days.
How much time do I have to sue?
Three years from the crash, so until November 11, 2029 (CPLR § 214). Written no-fault notice is due by December 11, 2026.
Stanley Law Offices Car Accident Lawyers Serving the Mohawk Valley
Stanley Law Offices was founded by Joe Stanley, and trial work still shapes how we handle each claim. Our car accident lawyer team serving Upstate NY prepares every case courtroom first. A head-on crash leaves little doubt that something went wrong, but proving what and why takes records, reconstruction, and patience.
We gather that evidence while it is fresh and keep the family informed at every stage.
Why Oneida County drivers hurt in a head-on crash choose Stanley Law Offices:
- Serving Upstate New York families for 45+ years
- Joe Stanley, Board Certified in Civil Trial Practice by the American Board of Trial Advocacy
- Super Lawyers recognition for 18+ consecutive years
- 4.7-star rating across 900+ verified reviews
- Offices in Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, Watertown, Oneonta, and Montrose, PA
- Available 24/7
- No recovery, no fee
Oneida County and the Mohawk Valley are served from our Syracuse office at 215 Burnet Ave, Syracuse, NY 13203. Questions can go to our team by phone at 888-997-3889 or through our contact page.
