MENTZ, NY, (May 10, 2026) – New York State Police are investigating a Sunday afternoon crash in the Town of Mentz that left one motorcyclist dead and another seriously injured.
According to troopers, the collision occurred around 4:15 p.m. at the intersection of Route 31 and Brutus Mentz Townline Road.
Investigators said a northbound 2020 Nissan Pathfinder stopped at the intersection before allegedly pulling into the path of two westbound motorcycles that had the right-of-way.
Both motorcycles collided with the passenger side of the SUV.
Authorities identified one of the riders as 35-year-old Branden Paradise of Lyons. He was airlifted to Upstate University Hospital, where he later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
The second motorcyclist was also airlifted to Upstate University Hospital with unspecified injuries.
Police said a passenger inside the Nissan Pathfinder suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Auburn Community Hospital.
The driver of the SUV, identified as a 33-year-old Auburn woman, remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. Troopers reported there was no indication that alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision.
The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted at the scene. The investigation remains ongoing.
