On August 18, 2026, at approximately 9:30 a.m., SP Herkimer responded to State Route 8 in the town of Ohio for a reported fatal motorcycle crash.
A preliminary investigation revealed a 21-year-old male from Wolcott, NY, was operating a 2026 Yamaha motorcycle northbound on State Route 8 when he failed to negotiate a right-hand curve in the roadway.
The motorcycle entered the southbound lane and struck a 2019 Freightliner tractor-trailer operated by a James E. Day, age 47, from Ontario, Canada.
Following the collision, the motorcycle exited the roadway and struck a tree. The operator of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A Drug Recognition Expert responded to the scene and determined the operator of the tractor-trailer was not impaired.
The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing.