SYRACUSE, New York (WWNY) – A Massena man says he can’t get the screaming out of his head after he and several other motorcyclists were injured in Saturday’s collision in the town of Canton.
“It was horrific. This was worse than any war movie I’ve ever seen,” said Justin DeShane.
DeShane, 34, spoke with 7 News from Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where he was visiting two of his buddies who were badly injured in the crash.
How the crash happened
According to state police, a car driven by Nicolas Corominas, 40, of Russell, tried to make a left turn off State Route 310 on Saturday. Troopers said he failed to yield to a group of oncoming motorcycles, causing four of them to collide with the vehicle.
A fifth motorcyclist, DeShane, took evasive action to avoid the collision. Police said he lost control and left the roadway onto the shoulder.
DeShane said he didn’t realize he was injured after his bike came to rest on the grass. His friends were in the road and he was in shock.
“There was blood. There were bodies. There were bike parts everywhere,” he said.
Two riders airlifted to Syracuse
According to family members, two of the riders suffered severe injuries and had to be airlifted to Upstate University Hospital. They are John Dimick, 37, and Michael Thomas, 21, both of Massena.
Dimick’s mother, Nancy, told 7 News her son was flown from Hermon-DeKalb School to Syracuse after his leg was shattered. She said he lost a lot of blood and underwent surgery, and will need more operations to repair his leg.
Thomas’ mother, Kelley, was also at the hospital. She said her son was airlifted from Canton-Potsdam Hospital to Syracuse. She said her son could lose the lower part of his leg. Doctors have operated on him twice in an effort to save his leg, Kelley said.
Both women arrived at the crash scene shortly after it happened.
“I just remember running to my son. Everything else is a blur,” said Kelley Thomas.
Other riders injured in collision
The two other people who were injured in the crash were Benjamin Miller, 49, and Daniel Dox, 32, both of Massena.
According to DeShane, Dox’s ribs were bruised, and he suffered severe road rash.
“His entire back looks like hamburger meat,” he said.
DeShane said Miller broke his hand in the collision and is wearing a cast.
Miller’s wife, Amanda, was riding on the back of the motorcycle and was unhurt, DeShane said. He said the two are emergency responders who immediately went to work to save their friends.
DeShane diagnosed with concussion, amnesia
DeShane said he began to suffer from memory issues after the crash and, two days later, went to Massena Memorial Hospital, where a doctor told him he suffered from a concussion and amnesia.
DeShane said he has no plans to give up riding motorcycles.
Investigation ongoing
State police said the crash is still under investigation. No charges have been filed at this time.
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