Child Killed in Sullivan County Collision in Sullivan County, New York

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY- Wivb.com* reports that a five-year-old boy was ejected from a vehicle and killed in a collision in Sullivan County. The child, Chakeilys Viera, was traveling with his father and his 14-year-old sister in a truck at the time of the crash. A deputy witnessed the collision.

The driver, Carmelo Viera, was traveling westbound on Route 17 when it veered over the center line and crashed into an SUV that was driving eastbound. The crash took place at about 2:50 p.m. The child, who was thrown from the truck, was pronounced dead at the site of the crash. Carmelo and the 14-year-old sister, Charleilys Viera, were both rushed to the hospital with critical injuries.

According to Sheriff Michael Schiff, the crash took place in one of the “few spots on Route 17 that does not have a center median barrier.” Reports indicate that no one in the truck was wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred and that the boy was not in a child safety seat.

The four occupants of the SUV were transported to the hospital as well. Three were soon released while the fourth was kept for observation. The Viera family had recently moved from New York City to Rochester and were transporting some of their belongings when the tragic crash took place.

Under New York Law, children under the age of eight are required to be fastened in child restraint systems. All children under the age of 16 are required to wear a seat belt no matter where in the vehicle they are seated. People traveling in the front seat are required to be buckled regardless of their age.

*https://www.wivb.com/news/five-year-old-boy-from-rochester-killed-in-crash-in-sullivan-county-during-drive-from-buffalo/1417528719

** https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/safety-restraints