VERONA, Oneida County, N.Y., Oct. 21, 2026 — Two people were hospitalized after a two-vehicle crash on Monday afternoon, October 19, at the intersection of Spring Rd and Smith Rd in Verona. One of the vehicles caught fire after the collision, according to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies responding to the intersection around 1 p.m. arrived to find the two vehicles involved, one of them burning. Fire crews from Verona and Westmoreland were called in to put out the flames.
Investigators said a car driven by a 46-year-old Verona woman, identified as Dianna Dodge, was headed north on Spring Rd when it collided with a westbound truck on Smith Rd driven by a Verona man identified as Benjamin Pangburn. The sheriff's office said Pangburn had stopped at the intersection but failed to yield the right of way before the vehicles collided. Both vehicles were pushed off the roadway, and Dodge's car then caught fire.
Officials said Dodge suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to SUNY Upstate Hospital in Syracuse; her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, though her condition had not been confirmed as of the latest report. Pangburn was taken to Wynn Hospital in Utica with minor injuries.
No citations had been issued as of the time of the report, and the sheriff's office said the crash remains under investigation. New York State Police, the Verona and Westmoreland fire departments, AmCare Ambulance of Rome, and Vineall Ambulance of Oneida assisted at the scene.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
More on Crashes in Verona, NY
This crash happened at Spring Rd and Smith Rd in Verona, NY. We cover crashes across Oneida County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Oneida County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I'm involved in an intersection crash?
Stay at the scene, call 911, and seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor. Exchange information with the other driver and wait for law enforcement to document the crash.
What injuries are common in intersection crashes like this one?
Side-impact and T-bone style collisions at intersections usually cause broken bones, head injuries, and internal injuries, since the sides of vehicles offer less protection than the front or rear.
What usually causes crashes at intersections?
Failure to yield the right of way, running stop signs or signals, and misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic are common factors. Speed also plays a role: the faster a vehicle is moving when it enters an intersection, the less time either driver has to react and the harder the impact.
What to Do After an Intersection Crash in Verona, NY
If you're involved in a crash at an intersection in Verona, start by checking yourself and any passengers for injuries, then move to safety if possible. Call 911 right away, especially if a vehicle is smoking, sparking, or on fire. Let dispatchers know the exact location so fire crews and ambulances can respond quickly. Even if you feel fine, get checked by a medical provider, since injuries from a side-impact collision aren't always obvious right away. Keep a copy of the police report and any medical records in case you need them later for insurance purposes.
