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An investigation is ongoing after a tragic incident in LaFayette left two people dead and two others injured early Sunday morning (April 12). New York State Police responded to a call on Shute Road around 1:35 a.m. after reports of an erratic driver speeding through residential yards.
The driver, a woman whose name has not been released, allegedly struck a woman with her vehicle before police arrived. According to State Police, a man tried to stop the driver by blocking her path with his car, but she rammed into his vehicle. The driver then reportedly ran over the injured woman again and hit a second man who was attempting to help.
Despite repeated commands from troopers to stop, the driver continued her dangerous actions. A trooper fired at the vehicle, striking the driver, who was alone in the car. She was taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where she was pronounced dead. The woman she struck was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two men who tried to intervene were taken to Upstate University Hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. One of the men, Earl Gardner, recounted how he tried to block the driver and called 911 before being knocked unconscious when his car was hit.
The incident is under investigation by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, with the New York Attorney General’s Office also involved, as required for any death involving a police officer. The trooper who discharged the firearm is on paid critical incident leave. Authorities have stated that the investigation remains active, and further details will be released as they become available.