Two people are dead and another was seriously injured following a multi-vehicle crash involving two motorcycles and an SUV Saturday night in Jefferson County.
The New York State Police responded to the scene at approximately 9:45 p.m. on July 19, 2025, after the crash occurred on County Route 181 in the Town of Clayton.
According to a preliminary investigation, a 2019 Harley Davidson motorcycle, carrying both a male driver and a female passenger, was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane when it collided head-on with a 2014 GMC Terrain. The impact caused the SUV to roll over and catch fire. Both individuals on the motorcycle were ejected and pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel.
A second motorcycle, a 2006 Harley Davidson, also traveling westbound, struck debris from the initial crash. The male driver of that motorcycle was ejected and sustained injuries. He was treated on-site before being airlifted by Lifenet to Upstate Hospital in Syracuse, where he remains under medical care.
The driver and passenger of the GMC Terrain were evaluated at the scene and declined hospital transport.
Responding agencies included the Town of Clayton and Town of Orleans Fire Departments, Thousand Island Emergency Rescue Squad (TIERS), Clayton Police, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Park Police.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by State Police.
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