Local person killed by alleged drunk driver in fatal wreck near Lowville

MARTINSBURG- A fatal head-on wreck that involved multiple vehicles Saturday evening just south of Lowville, NY has resulted in a felony vehicular homicide charge filed against a North Country area resident.

It happened shortly before 6:30 p.m. on State Route 12. According to Lewis County Sheriff’s Investigators, Gabriel Moore, (no age provided), of Constableville, NY was driving south in a 2012 Ford F-350 and crossed into the path of a northbound 2022 Ram, driven by Mark Vaughn, (no age provided), of Copenhagen, NY.

Authorities said both vehicles collided and a third vehicle, driven by Ricardo Arredondo, of Fort Drum, NY was unable to avoid the wreck and ended up striking Moore’s truck.

Despite the best efforts from first responders, Vaughn ended up perishing from injuries suffered from the wreck by the time he was taken to Lewis County General.

There were two passengers in Mark’s truck, including Debra Vaughn and Elaine Morrison, who were both rescued from the wreckage and taken to Lewis County General for unspecified injuries. As of this report, police said both victims remained stable.

The same was reported for Arredondo, as he was taken to Wynn Hospital.

After receiving treatment, Moore was taken to the Public Safety Building, where he failed field sobriety testing and subsequently registered a .19% BAC.

Moore is formally charged with a felony count of aggravated vehicular homicide, along with additional counts of aggravated DWI, reckless driving and failing to keep right.

Following an arraignment, Moore was jailed on $25,000 cash bail.

The wreck remains under investigation and more updates may surface.

Members from the New York State Police, Lowville Village Police, Beaver Falls and Old Forge Ambulance, Martinsburg and Lowville Fire Departments, NYSP Crash Reconstruction Unit, Lewis County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State DOT all assisted.

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