Local man involved in car v. motorcycle accident succumbs to injuries

WATERTOWN- A man from Lewis County has died from injuries suffered Wednesday in a collision between a motorcycle and a car.

It was shortly before 11:30 a.m. when emergency responders began fielding calls about a wreck between a motorcycle and a car. It happened on State Route 126, near County Route 49 in the town of Watertown.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne T. Ernst, 55, of Greig, NY was riding his 2006 Harley Davidson bike east on Route 126.

Just ahead of him was a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. Deputies determined that the car attempted a left-turn onto County Route 49 and this is when Ernst struck the rear-end.

Ernst was thrown from his bike and landed into a guard-rail. EMS crews rushed him to Samaritan Medical Center, where they met a medical helicopter for flight to SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY.

Tragically, that’s where Ernst died from his injuries suffered in the accident. No injuries from the occupants of the Volkswagen were reported.

Members from the New York State Police, Fort Drum Police, Town of Watertown Ambulance, Town of Watertown Fire Department, Rutland Fire Department and the NYS DOT all provided assistance.

The investigation is ongoing.

NOTE: A correction was made to the first sentence. The accident occurred Wednesday, not Thursday as misprinted.