Rome (WSYR-TV) – Investigators are looking into a Thursday evening crash that has killed two people and injured two others in the city of Rome.
Oneida County Sheriff’s deputies say Stephen Gressel, 56, of Rome was stopped on Route 69 (Rome Oriskany Road) shortly after 5:30 p.m. Thursday and had his left turn signal on, waiting to make a turn into his driveway.
Deputies say motorcyclist Robert Williams Jr., 40, of Whitesboro, tried to pass Gressel and a dump truck on the left as Gressel was making his turn.
Williams then struck Gressel’s car; Williams and his passenger, 40-year-old Sherry Moulton of Oriskany, were thrown from the bike and were seriously injured. They were rushed to local hospitals, where they later died.
Gressel and his wife, Victoria Gressel, 56, were treated for minor injuries at St. Luke’s Hospital and released.
Deputies say both Williams and Moulton were wearing helmets at the time.
Though the investigation into the crash continues, deputies believe unsafe passing by Williams likely contributed to the crash.
Deputies are asking anyone with any information about the crash to call the Sheriff’s Criminal Division at 765-2737.
