It is with a heavy heart that Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that at about 4:15p.m. on March 4, 2020, deputies of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office responded to a one vehicle crash on State Route 415 in Avoca, New York. It is alleged that a 17-year-old male operated a 2006 Hyundai with three male passengers aged 16, 17 and 18. Deputies observed extensive damage to the vehicle. Three of the passengers were immediately transported for medical treatment and one was treated and released at the scene. The 18-year-old passenger, Christopher O’Dell, of Avoca, New York, later succumbed to his injuries while receiving emergency treatment from a local medical provider. The 16-year-old passenger is in critical but stable condition at a medical provider in Rochester, New York and the 17-year-old passenger was treated and later discharged at a medical provider in Dansville, New York.
The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Evidence Recovery Unit processed the crash scene. The investigation is continuing into determining the contributing factors of the crash and continuing to collect information and evidence relating to the investigation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the O’Dell family and the entire Avoca community who are grieving and working through this tragedy. Sheriff Allard thanks the Avoca Volunteer Fire Department, the Bath Volunteer Ambulance, Bath Volunteer Fire Department and the New York State Police for their assistance at the scene of this investigation.
Dear Avoca Central School Community:
We are shocked and saddened to hear the news of yesterday’s car crash involving four
Avoca students. Our thoughts are with their families, friends and the members of our
school community during this difficult time.
Our school counselors will be available in the auditorium for students and members of
the school community throughout the school day and after school beginning this
morning. We will also have counselors from our regional crisis team on site for
additional support for our students and staff.
Our primary goal today and in the weeks to come will be to help the students, staff and
community through this tragic situation. If your child is in need of additional support or
you have questions about how to support your child or available resources please
contact their school counselor or principal at 607-566-2221 ext. 1121 or ext. 1125.
