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PRESS RELEASE
On November 7, 2023, at 2:12 a.m., State Police on patrol stopped a vehicle, a 2017 Acura ILX, on State Route 365 near Blackmans Corners Road in the town of Verona for speeding, 85 in a 55-mph zone. As Troopers began to interview the male driver, later identified as Howard N. Griswold Jr., abruptly rolled the window up and drove off at a high rate of speed. Troopers returned to their patrol vehicle and initiated a traffic pursuit. The suspect vehicle continued east on State Route 365 and then onto Lamphear Road. The operator then drove through a steady red signal at the intersection of State Route 233 and continued onto Rome-Oriskany Road until making a right turn onto Monument Road. The vehicle continued south on Monument Road until taking another right turn onto Sutliff Road and traveling west at a high rate of speed. Troopers lost sight of the suspect vehicle and as they were approaching the intersection of State Route 233, they found the vehicle had crashed into a tree and came to rest on the front lawn of 6405 State Route 233. Griswold, age 24 from Utica, NY was transported by ambulance to Rome Health Hospital and then transferred to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse with severe internal injuries. A passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Shana Reahoo Chourb from Utica, NY was transported by ambulance to Rome Health Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. State Police were assisted at the scene by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. Pursuant to Executive Law Section 70-b, the New York State Attorney General’s Office is investigating the incident in conjunction with the New York State Police and the Oneida County District Attorney’s office.
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