ELLICOTT, N.Y. — Two people died in a wrong-way crash on I-86 in the Town of Ellicott on Saturday evening.
New York State Police said the crash happened around 6 p.m. Troopers say, Matthew A. Berry, 30, of Randolph, was driving east in the westbound lane, without headlights on, and struck another vehicle between exits 12 and 13.
Berry's Toyota Camry hit a Dodge Ram 1500 with two people inside. A Freightliner traveling west then hit the Ram from behind.
Berry, the wrong-way driver, was pronounced dead at the scene, State Police said Saturday evening.
Todd A.Town, 57, of Jamestown, was driving the Dodge Ram. He died of his injuries at UPMC Chautauqua. His passenger, Sandra L. Town, 54, also of Jamestown, is in serious condition at UPMC Hamot in Erie, PA.
The driver of the Freightliner was not hurt. Troopers say their investigation revealed Berry was reported missing to Chautauqua County 911 on the evening of January 28, the night of the crash. Police say Berry suffers from mental illness.
The interstate had been closed in both directions between Strunk Road and Route 60, which are exits 11 and 12 following the crash.
On Monday the Town family released this statement:
"I would like the world to know that our father Todd Town was a wonderful man. He was dedicated to his family including his wife who was his high school sweet heart, his four kids, and his 4 grandchildren. He was taken too soon by a terrible automobile accident involving a car that hit him which was going the wrong way on route 86 near the Jamestown exit. His presence is irreplaceable and the driver of the other vehicle stole that wonderful life from him and his family. His wife, our mom, is in intensive care suffering from a variety of severe injuries and we pray to god she will recover. Thank you."
A GoFundMe campaign has been established for the Town family.
The investigation continues. NYSP collision reconstruction, the commercial vehicle enforcement unit, and the bureau of criminal investigation are assisting in this investigation.