Sheriff investigates fatal crash

DRESDEN--Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike reports a crash on Route 14 near the bridge that spans the Keuka Outlet Trail has resulted in the death of a Penn Yan man.
The 911 call center received information Sunday, Aug. 23 at 9:54 a.m. about the incident which was initially described as "[a] vehicle catapulted off Route 14 at the east side of a large bridge and landed near the Keuka Outlet stream, [where it was] destroyed by fire. [The] driver who is unidentified is deceased at [the] scene."
In two subsequent updates, the Sheriff's department gave further details about the crash and identified the vehicle operator as James Hayes, 37, of Penn Yan.
According to the report, "Preliminary indicators [show] the vehicle appears to have deliberately traveled at a high speed northbound off the eastside embankment near the gorge adjacent to the Route 14 bridge structure and went airborne over the Keuka Outlet stream colliding with a large tree approximately 12 feet up from the ground and [burst] into flames thereafter coming to rest on the Northside of the stream."
The Dresden Fire Department extinguished the Jeep SUV vehicle fire from atop the bridge sending water down some 100 feet below as well as fighting the fire on land from near the outlet trail. The vehicle was destroyed by fire including any identification and license plates. The Monroe County Medical Examiner identified the driver.
The official cause of death and accident is yet to be determined and still under investigation by the Coroner's Office and Yates Sheriff's Deputies.
Being the incident happened on a busy weekend morning near the walking trail, Sheriff Spike has asked anyone with photos of the crash or fire to contact the Sheriff's Office at 315-536-4438 or email sheriff@yatescounty.org.