Tragedy struck a family as one upstate New York man reportedly killed his sister and two minors in a fatal crash.
According to the New York Post, 21-year-old Evan Klink was driving Freedom Road in the town of Freedom Saturday afternoon when he abruptly veered off the lane and slammed his 2006 Dodge Ram into a 2005 Ford Focus. Police said Klink’s sister and Dahlia Klink, 24, and three other minors were in the Ford Focus.
An investigation determined that Evan R. Klink, 21, of Freedom was driving a 2006 Dodge Ram westbound when he crossed the center line and struck the eastbound 2005 Ford Focus driven by his sister, Dahlia J. Klink, 24, also of Freedom. https://t.co/CyNfXRtKR0
— The Buffalo News (@TheBuffaloNews) June 18, 2023
Authorities identified two of the minors as 6-year-old Molly Kibler and 17-year-old Havanah Lopez. Molly and Havannah were pronounced dead at the scene. A third minor, who police say is a 4-year-old, was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
First responders rushed Dahlia to Erie County Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries on Sunday.
Klink was taken to the state police station in Warsaw after receiving treatment for his injury. It is still unclear if the 24-year-old suffered any serious injuries. Klink had 19-year-old Cameron Klink with him in Dodge at the time of the crash. The 19-year-old was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries, according to The Post.
It’s not clear if Klink rammed into his sister’s vehicle intentionally. However, eyewitnesses told police that Klink’s Dodge abruptly went into the oncoming lane.
Authorities are still investigating what led to the crash, with investigators working to determine the rate of speed Klnk was going. However, State Police Trooper James O’Callahan told WKBW that Klink was not driving the truck with a licensed driver as required by law.
State police say investigators and Cattaraugus Co. DA office looking into circumstances of Freedom Road crash that killed three people. Not clear if any charges to be filed but NYSP also says driver of pickup – 21 year Evan Klink was only on a learner’s permit w/o licensed driver
— Ron Plants WGRZ (@RonWGRZ) June 19, 2023
The state police’s reconstruction unit is also reviewing physical evidence from Evan Klink’s vehicle. Investigators are also working with the Cattaraugus County District Attorney’s Office to obtain a subpoena for Klink’s blood.
Nancy Singler, a Freedom resident, described the incident as a terrible tragedy.
“It’s a terrible, terrible tragedy, especially with the little girls. You know — it’s heartbreaking,” Shingler said. “It was pretty scary. I couldn’t imagine that happening to me.”
Another resident, Sue Fish, said she couldn’t believe her ears when she heard that the two drivers involved were siblings.
“I still feel terrible, but I didn’t know them. I didn’t know any of them. It’s just awful – you just can’t forget it,” Fish. said
