CAZENOVIA — On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 20, three vehicles and four individuals were involved in a deadly car crash on Route 92 in Cazenovia.
The accident, which occurred just east of West Lake Road, resulted in deaths of 69-year-old Deborah Sorrentino, of Syracuse, and her 92-year-old mother, Augusta Sorrentino, of Manlius.
According to a July 21 press release issued by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the report of the crash at approximately 12:38 p.m.
The deputies arrived at the scene to find a 2004 GMC Yukon overturned in the westbound lane. The driver and sole occupant, 35-year-old Justin Haines, of New Woodstock, had to be extricated from the vehicle.
Deputies also observed a 2016 Ford Focus off the west shoulder of the road with heavy front end damage. Sorrentino, the driver, was pronounced dead at the scene. Augusta, who was in the passenger seat, was transported to Upstate Medical Center, where she later passed away from her injuries.
The press release states that an investigation into the cause of the crash has shown that Haines’ vehicle was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed when he passed multiple vehicles on the shoulder of the road. His vehicle then lost control and was travelling in the westbound lane when it struck Sorrentino’s vehicle head-on and overturned.
The third vehicle, traveling eastbound, swerved to avoid the collision but struck Haines’ vehicle, causing damage. The driver of the third vehicle sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics and released.
The sheriff’s office was assisted on scene by the New York State Police, the Cazenovia Police Department, the Cazenovia Fire Department, the Manlius Fire Department, the Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and the Manlius and Fayetteville ambulance services.
Cazenovia Chief of Police Michael Hayes said he and Officer Nick DiBrango arrived at the crash site at 12:45 p.m. Hayes directed traffic at West Lake Road and Route 92 while DiBrango assisted on the scene.
“I was relieved later by Officer DiBrango and returned to the village,” Hayes said. “Officer DiBrango returned around 3:20 p.m.”
According to CAVAC Chief of Operations Rick Macheda, both CAVAC ambulances responded to the incident at 12:45 p.m.
“All ambulances were assisted by Cazenovia rescue and fire personnel,” said Macheda. “As always, the outstanding speed and cooperation between [emergency medical services] and rescue departments was in play at the scene.”
Shain Emerson, Cazenovia fire chief, reported that his department had a chief on the scene within five minutes of the accident report. In total, 12 Cazenovia Fire Department members responded to the crash.
Following the crash, both lanes of Route 92 between West Lake Road and Temperance Hill Road were closed until that evening.
In the July 21 press release, the sheriff’s office reported that Haines, who was transported to Upstate Medical Center and treated for minor injuries, is believed to have been under the influence of drugs and/or narcotics at the time of the accident.
The day after the crash, Haines was transported to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, where he was arrested and charged with two counts of criminally negligent homicide, two counts of manslaughter in the second degree, two counts of assault in the second degree, and multiple traffic violations.
Haines was arraigned on the evening of July 21 at the Madison County Courthouse.
According to Madison County Public Information Officer Samantha Field, he was represented by attorney Devin Garramone from the Madison County Assigned Counsel Program, which coordinates the assignment of attorneys to represent individuals who cannot afford to retain an attorney in various criminal and family court matters.
During the brief arraignment, the judge denied bail or bond.
As of July 22, Haines was being held in Madison County Jail and was expected to appear back in court on July 27 in Cazenovia.
