Two Teens Killed, Four Injured In SUV Crash: NYSP

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A devastating crash claimed the lives of two teens and left four others injured, New York State Police announced on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Troopers out of SP Amity responded to the single-vehicle crash on Tarantine Boulevard in Wellsville at 2:24 a.m. A 2020 Buick Encore traveling eastbound exited the north shoulder on a sharp curve and struck a utility pole on the driver’s side, investigators said.

The SUV carried six teenage occupants. The 17-year-old driver, a 14-year-old front passenger, and two backseat passengers — ages 15 and 16 — sustained minor injuries and were transported to Jones Memorial Hospital, according to troopers.

Two others were killed in the crash. Derrick J. Smith, 17, of Canisteo, was riding in the tailgate area of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Gavin Odell, 18, also of Canisteo, was sitting behind the driver and was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy has been scheduled for both victims. No signs of impairment were found, police said.

Odell was a varsity basketball and football player for Canisteo-Greenwood High School, according to his social media.

Additional information about the victims was unavailable. Their loved ones are invited to share more details with Daily Voice by emailing jpikora@dailyvoice.com.

The NYSP Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted in the ongoing investigation.