State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Madison County

New York State Police are continuing to investigate a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred in Madison County, according to information released by authorities this week.

The crash took place in the Town of Fenner at the intersection of Oxbow Road and East Mile Strip Road. Troopers responded to the scene on August 28, 2025, at approximately 11:20 a.m. after receiving reports of a serious two-vehicle collision.

A preliminary investigation by State Police determined that an 82-year-old woman from Oneida, New York, was operating a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox westbound on East Mile Strip Road when she allegedly failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign while attempting to cross the intersection onto West Mile Strip Road. Authorities say the SUV was then struck on the driver’s side by a northbound 2019 Freightliner box truck traveling on Oxbow Road.

The driver of the Chevrolet Equinox, later identified as Barbara R. Thurston, 82, of Oneida, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police stated she was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The operator of the box truck, identified as 22-year-old Guillermo Y. Melchor Hernandez of West Winfield, New York, and a passenger in the truck were not injured in the crash, according to investigators.

State Police were assisted at the scene by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office as emergency crews worked to secure the area and conduct the investigation. Officials have not announced any charges related to the incident, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Fatal crashes involving intersections and failure-to-yield incidents continue to be a major focus for traffic safety enforcement across New York State. Authorities routinely remind motorists to exercise caution at rural intersections and obey all posted traffic control devices.

Additional updates are expected as investigators complete crash reconstruction and review evidence gathered from the scene.