Rodney K. Dodge Obituary, Death – A tragic accident in Herkimer County has left one man dead and several others injured after a head-on collision late Monday night. New York State Police confirmed that 59-year-old Rodney K. Dodge, a resident of Utica, was killed in the crash that occurred on September 30 in the Town of Newport.
Authorities reported that troopers were dispatched around 9:17 p.m. to Butler Road after receiving calls about a serious crash involving multiple injuries. Upon arrival, they discovered two heavily damaged vehicles that had collided head-on.
According to the preliminary findings of the investigation, the crash involved a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and a 2024 Ford Transit Connect van. State Police said the Silverado, driven by a man from Newport, was traveling east on Butler Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle while navigating a turn. In the process, the truck veered across the centerline into the westbound lane, directly into the path of Dodge’s van. The two vehicles collided head-on with significant force.
Emergency responders found Dodge critically injured inside his vehicle. Despite efforts at the scene, he was pronounced dead shortly after the crash. Dodge’s passenger, whose identity has not yet been released, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. That individual was taken to Wynn Hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.
The driver of the Silverado also sustained injuries in the collision. Due to the nature of the crash and the severity of the wreckage, he was airlifted from the scene by Mercy Flight Helicopter and taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. Officials reported that his injuries were serious but not considered life-threatening.
The accident prompted a large emergency response in the Newport area. In addition to New York State Police troopers, crews from the Newport Fire Department, Mercy Flight, and Kuyahoora Valley Ambulance assisted with rescue operations, medical treatment, and traffic control. The section of Butler Road where the crash occurred was temporarily shut down to allow investigators to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision and to clear the wreckage.
At this time, investigators are continuing to look into what may have caused the driver of the Silverado to lose control. Factors such as road conditions, speed, and possible driver impairment are being examined, though no conclusions have yet been released. Authorities have not indicated whether charges will be filed against the Silverado driver, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Fatal crashes like this one remain a sobering reminder of the dangers that can occur on rural roadways, particularly at night and on curving sections of road. Local officials emphasized the importance of remaining cautious, obeying traffic laws, and adjusting driving behavior to road conditions in order to prevent tragedies.
The community of Utica, where Dodge was from, is mourning his sudden loss. Family members, friends, and neighbors have expressed shock over the fatal crash, remembering Dodge as a longtime community member whose life was cut short in a devastating way.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has additional information to contact the New York State Police. The case is still under active investigation as law enforcement works to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
In summary, the fatal crash on Butler Road in Newport claimed the life of Rodney K. Dodge, 59, of Utica, after his Ford Transit Connect was struck head-on by a pickup truck that crossed into his lane. His passenger and the other driver survived but sustained injuries. Emergency crews from multiple agencies assisted at the scene, and State Police continue to investigate the cause of the collision.
