Fatal UTV Collision in Dannemora Claims Two Lives – Two people died after a utility terrain vehicle left a road and overturned in Clinton County, State Police say.
DANNEMORA, N.Y. — A fatal UTV collision in Dannemora claimed the lives of a driver and passenger on Sunset Road on September 19, according to New York State Police. The agency identified the driver as Destiny M. Gay, 24, of West Chazy, and the passenger as Robbie D. Grant, 54, of Hogansburg. Investigators say the vehicle struck a tree and overturned. The case remains under investigation.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers associated with utility terrain vehicles and is a stark reminder of the importance of safety precautions.
Troopers responded to a reported collision at approximately 6:51 p.m. They found an orange 2019 CF MOTO utility terrain vehicle and its two occupants. The release does not say what caused the driver to lose control.
What State Police reported about the crash
State Police said their initial investigation found that Gay was driving west on Sunset Road with Grant as a passenger. Gay lost control, and the UTV left the north shoulder. It struck a tree and overturned.
Lyon Mountain Fire and Rescue personnel evaluated both occupants at the scene. According to the State Police account, both were unresponsive and showed no signs of life. The Clinton County Coroner’s Office pronounced both dead. Their bodies were transported to CVPH, the agency said.
State Police said autopsies were scheduled for September 21. The release did not include autopsy results. It also did not report whether either occupant was wearing a seat belt or helmet, or whether investigators were considering speed, road conditions, mechanical failure or any other factor. Those questions should not be answered by guesswork.
Who were the people killed?
- Destiny M. Gay, 24: Identified by police as the UTV driver and a resident of West Chazy.
- Robbie D. Grant, 54: Identified by police as the passenger and a resident of Hogansburg.
State Police did not provide further biographical details. The public report does not describe the relationship between Gay and Grant. The Utica Phoenix extends its condolences to those mourning their deaths.
What is a UTV?
A utility terrain vehicle, or UTV, is an off-road vehicle with side-by-side seating. Here, the exact vehicle and route matter because the police report places the collision on Sunset Road and identifies the UTV as a 2019 CF MOTO model. The release does not establish why it left the roadway.
What happens next
State Police say the investigation remains ongoing. Autopsy findings or later investigative updates could provide more detail, but none were included in the September 21 release. Until investigators publish more, the confirmed sequence is limited: the UTV was traveling west, left the north shoulder, struck a tree and overturned; both occupants died.
Anyone sharing information about the collision should distinguish that confirmed sequence from unanswered questions. The Utica Phoenix will update this report if State Police release additional verified findings.
