Cayuta, NY (July 7, 2026) – One person died, and several others were injured after a two-vehicle collision early on Sunday, July 5, at the intersection of State Route 13 and State Route 224 in the Alpine Junction section of Cayuta. The accident was reported shortly before 5:00 a.m.
A preliminary report said a 2023 Tesla was traveling north on Route 224 and entered the intersection. It was then struck by a 2023 Dodge Charger traveling east on Route 13.
Four people were in the Tesla. A rear-seat passenger was pronounced dead at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, and the person’s name had not been released. The Tesla driver had serious injuries that were not considered life-threatening, while another passenger had serious, life-threatening injuries. A third passenger was evaluated and had no apparent injuries.
The Dodge driver, identified as Bryan J. Woodworth, 52, of Elmira, was taken to Arnot Ogden Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The wreck remains under review as investigators continue gathering evidence from the intersection. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the person who died and hope those hurt make a full recovery.
How Intersection Crashes Can Lead to Severe Injuries
Intersection crashes can be especially serious because vehicles may enter from different directions at the same time. When one vehicle crosses the path of another, the angle of contact can expose drivers and passengers to a strong side or front-end force.
Traffic signals, lane position, speed, and visibility are often key details in understanding this type of collision. Early-morning travel can also affect what drivers see, especially when the lighting is low and traffic is quieter.
How passengers are seated can influence injury severity. People in the same vehicle may have very different outcomes depending on where they were sitting, which side of the vehicle was struck, and how the vehicle moved after impact. Medical records and vehicle damage can help explain why some injuries were more severe than others.
