State Police Investigate Multiple Crashes on State Route 690 in Van Buren

The New York State Police are investigating several related motor vehicle crashes that occurred this morning on State Route 690 southbound near Exit 4 in the town of Van Buren. The incidents began at approximately 7:45 a.m. and involved multiple vehicles, minor injuries, and temporary road closures.

Troopers responded after an initial personal injury crash handled by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office. As traffic slowed in the area, several additional collisions occurred.

In the first State Police-investigated crash, a 2009 Hyundai operated by Hayley D. Diane, age 17, of Syracuse, struck a 2012 Volkswagen operated by Alexandria M. Boyce, age 30, of Baldwinsville. Diane suffered a minor injury and was transported to Upstate Hospital. She was issued a ticket for following too closely.

A separate chain-reaction collision occurred as southbound traffic slowed for an unrelated crash ahead. A 2023 Ford pickup operated by Gordon Gehring, age 34, of Baldwinsville, failed to reduce speed due to speed and sun glare and rear-ended a 2024 Ford pickup operated by Daniel M. Wright, age 46, of Oswego, which was towing a trailer. The impact pushed Wright’s vehicle into a 2021 Ford van operated by Daniel Minota, age 36, of Phoenix, which was also towing a trailer. Gehring’s pickup then became airborne over one trailer, struck Wright’s vehicle again, and continued forward, hitting a 2023 Jeep operated by Michael Davern, age 49, of Fulton. Davern sustained a minor injury and was transported to Upstate University Hospital.

Another related collision involved a 2020 Mazda operated by Smith J. Mahady, age 59, of Baldwinsville, which rear-ended a 2019 Chevrolet operated by Alexander L. Nipper, age 26, of Fulton. Mahady was issued a ticket for following too closely.

In the final incident, a 2023 Mazda operated by Sharon M. Sardina, age 66, of Baldwinsville, was stopped in traffic when it was struck from behind by a 2019 Hyundai operated by Foster V. Smith, age 18, of Baldwinsville. Smith reported that sun glare prevented her from seeing traffic ahead. Sardina sustained a minor injury and declined medical transport. Smith was issued a ticket for unreasonable speed for conditions.

Several drivers left the roadway to avoid the collisions. 

State Route 690 southbound was temporarily closed as emergency crews worked to clear the scene. Traffic was diverted to alternate routes. The roadway reopened at approximately 10:35 a.m.

The investigation is ongoing.