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An investigation is ongoing into a tragic crash in Westmoreland that claimed the life of 22-year-old Cody Tarkowski. The accident occurred early Sunday morning (March 9) on Cooper Street. Tarkowski was driving his pickup truck westbound when he lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and hit a telephone pole. The impact ejected Tarkowski from the truck, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office.
A passenger in the vehicle, 26-year-old Gabrielle Gerace, also from Westmoreland, sustained minor injuries. She was transported to Wynn Hospital for evaluation. The accident led to a power outage in the area for several hours, as reported by CNYHomepage.com.
The Oneida County Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Unit, along with the Forensic Identification Unit and Reconstruction Team, is leading the investigation. They are being assisted by the New York State Police, the Westmoreland Fire Department, and the Central Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward, as noted by the Rome Sentinel.