2 killed, more injured in crash

VERONA>> State police are still investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident on the New York State Thruway.

At 10:23 p.m., Wednesday, police responded to a west-bound four vehicle Thruway collision between Exits 32 (Westmoreland-Rome) and 33 (Verona-Rome).

The driver of a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, Travis V. Thurston, 29, from Canastota, allegedly veered onto the right shoulder, striking a disabled vehicle and tow truck, then continued back into the lane of traffic and struck a third vehicle.

Police say Thurston sustained minor injuries.

His passenger, Chad A. Hitchings, 31, from Oneida, sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries. They were traveling with two dogs, one of which died on scene and the second one ran off.

The Kinney’s Towing driver, Theodore F. Presley, 34, from Oneida, was uninjured.

The driver of the disabled vehicle, Carlton A. McRae, 33, from Newport News, Va., died fromhis injuries at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica. The left rear passenger, Mark I. Murray, 34, of Syracuse, also died. McRae’s front seat passenger, name not provided, from Syracuse, is in stable condition at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital as of Thursday.

The driver from the remaining vehicle, David A. Kennedy, 47, of Cheektow- aga, sustained minor injuries andwas transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in Utica.

The accident is still under investigation.

More information will be released as it becomes available.