Salina teen is in critical condition after crash that killed her passenger, Victoria Deverso. Other driver is also in critical condition.
View full sizeNew York state police investigate a fatal two car collision on Route 31 at Lucas Road, east of Bridgeport, on Monday.
Sullivan, NY - State police have identified Chelsea L. Kuss as the driver of the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer involved in the head-on collision that killed her 17-year-old friend Monday afternoon in Madison County. Police said the collision was so violent that they were initially unable to identify who was driving the Trailblazer.
Kuss, 18, of 127 Hamden Drive, Salina, is in critical condition at Upstate University Hospital.
Her passenger, Victoria C. Deverso, of 7424 Muench Road, Clay, was killed in the crash. She was a junior at Liverpool High School. An autopsy is scheduled this afternoon, state police said.
Investigators say Kuss was driving the SUV west on Route 31 in Sullivan. She passed several vehicles and was trying to re-enter the westbound lane about 2:50 p.m. when it collided with a 2007 Dodge Caravan.
The other driver, Peggy S. Blume, 38, of 7876 Macarthur Blvd., Cicero, remains in critical condition at Upstate University Hospital.
State police who are continuing to investigate the crash said speed appears to be a contributing factor to the accident.