Vernon Man Airlifted To Upstate Hospital Following Crash

A Vernon man is in critical condition following a two vehicle crash in the Town of Westmoreland.

According to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, an investigation revealed 46-year-old Claude Crowell of Rome was traveling south on State Route 26 in a van when he made a left hand turn on to Skinner Road.

As he attempted to make the turn, he crossed in front of a van being driven by Ashlee Rubyor. As a result of the collision a passenger in Crowell's vehicle suffered significant injuries and was airlifted by Mercy Flight Central to Upstate University Hospital.

The passenger in Crowell's van, 35-year-old James Gonzalez of Vernon, is currently listed in critical condition at the Syracuse hospital. Rubyor was transported to St. Elizabeth's for minor injuries and Crowell was treated at the scene.

Portions of State Route 26 and Skinner Road were closed for over 2 hours Thursday as officials conducted their investigation. Crowell was ultimately issued a traffic citation for for failure to yield to oncoming traffic.