The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports on June 23, 2021 at approximately 7:15pm Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators responded to a serious personal injury motor vehicle accident on State Route 318 in the Town of Junius. A 2013 Mercedes Benz being operated by Shyquest K Powell, age 20 of Syracuse NY, was travelling eastbound in a reckless manner on State Route 318 when it rear ended into a 2009 Pontiac Vibe being operated by Brett Rising, age 66 of Junius, NY.
The Pontiac Vibe exited the roadway on the south side of Route 318 and rolled several times before coming to rest along a utility pole. Rising was ejected from the vehicle and sustained life threatening injuries. The Mercedes came to rest in the middle of the roadway when the driver, Powell, and a 17 year old female passenger exited the vehicle and attempted to flee the scene on foot to evade police. The two females were picked up by a passing motorist who was not involved in the accident. Witnesses report the two females from the Mercedes were loading a large quantity of clothing from their vehicle to the passing motorist’s vehicle before leaving the scene. That vehicle was subsequently pulled over on State Route 5 in the Town of Seneca Falls by Officers from the Seneca Falls Police Department and Sheriff Deputies. Powell and the the 17 yr old female were taken into custody without incident. Neither Powell nor the 17 yr old sustained any injuries from the accident. Rising was treated at the scene by North Seneca Ambulance and subsequently flown via LifeNet to Strong Memorial Hospital for further treatment, where he is listed in unsatisfactory condition. As a result of the investigation it was found that Powell and the 17 year old female were in possession of a large quantity of stolen merchandise from several retail stores in and out of the area.
Shyquest Powell was charged with Reckless Endangerment 1st(Class D Felony), Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd(Class D Felony) and Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Motor Vehicle Accident(Class E Felony). In addition, Powell was issued traffic citations for Reckless Driving, Following Too Closely, Speed not Reasonable and Prudent, Failure to Reduce Speed for Special Hazards, and Unlicensed Operator. Powell was arraigned at Seneca County CAP Court where she was ROR’d due to New York State Bail Reform and is to reappear at the Junius Town Court at a later date. The 17 year old female was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd. She was released on an appearance ticket and turned over to her legal guardian. She is to appear on July 27, 2021 at the Seneca County Youth Part Court to answer the charge.
The accident was reconstructed by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Reconstruction Team. Both vehicles involved sustained extensive damage and were towed from the scene and impounded at the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office. Also assisting at the scene was the New York State Police, the Seneca Falls Police Department, Junius Fire Department, North Seneca Ambulance and LifeNet Air Medical. The investigation is still ongoing.