Local News
30-Year-Old Vincent Grasso Killed in Motorcycle Crash in Verona
VERONA, N.Y. — The New York State Police have identified the motorcyclist who was killed in a collision with a pickup truck Saturday afternoon at a busy intersection in the Town of Verona.
The victim was identified as Vincent Grasso, 30, of Rome, New York, who died after the motorcycle he was operating collided with a pickup truck crossing State Route 365.
According to the New York State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at the intersection of State Highway 365 and Blackmans Corners Road in the Town of Verona.
A preliminary investigation determined that Grasso was riding a 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound on State Route 365 when the collision occurred.
Investigators said a 66-year-old driver operating a pickup truck had stopped at the intersection on Blackmans Corners Road before attempting to cross State Route 365.
As the pickup entered the intersection, it was struck by Grasso’s westbound motorcycle.
The impact caused catastrophic injuries to Grasso, who was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Authorities said the driver of the pickup truck was not injured in the collision.
State Police noted that State Route 365 is a four-lane highway with a center turn lane at the Blackmans Corners Road intersection. Traffic traveling on Route 365 does not stop at the intersection, while motorists on Blackmans Corners Road are required to stop before entering or crossing the highway.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances that led to the fatal collision, including vehicle movements and right-of-way.
No charges have been announced, and the crash remains under active investigation by the New York State Police.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information relevant to the investigation to contact law enforcement as detectives continue working to determine all factors that contributed to the crash.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — A 62-year-old man was killed Wednesday morning after a small aircraft crashed in a field in the Whiton community of DeKalb County, Alabama, authorities said.
The victim was identified as Douglas Emge, 62, of Whiton. Emergency crews responded to the crash along County Road 3, where the single-engine aircraft came down behind the Whitton water tank.
According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, emergency personnel were dispatched to the area following reports of the aircraft crash. DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Posey confirmed that one person died in the incident.
An FAA spokesperson said a Van’s RV-4 crashed in a field near Albertville at approximately 6:50 a.m. The aircraft had only one person aboard, and Emge was the pilot.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also participating. Investigators will work to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
Officials have not released a cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. Additional information is expected as investigators examine the aircraft, crash site and other available evidence.
The City of Albertville issued a statement mourning Emge, describing him as a longtime and prominent member of the Albertville Regional Airport community.
According to the city, Doug Emge was the face of Albertville Regional Airport for more than 30 years and was the founder and sole owner of Albertville Aviation, which operated the airport’s fixed-base operator, or FBO.
The city said Emge was known for helping pilots, flight crews and passengers who arrived at the airport, providing assistance with fuel, rental cars, lodging and recommendations in the community.
Albertville officials also described Emge as a Marine veteran, pilot, husband, father and grandfather. The city extended its condolences to his wife, Stacy, his family and the staff and colleagues at Albertville Regional Airport.
The City of Albertville said Emge’s contributions to the airport, the city and the wider Sand Mountain community would not soon be forgotten.
Emergency crews and investigators remained at the scene as authorities continued their response.
Officials asked members of the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel work at the crash site and the investigation gets underway.
The cause of the fatal DeKalb County plane crash remains under investigation by the NTSB and FAA.