Rochester, NY (June 25, 2026) — Two people lost their lives early Thursday morning in a multi-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way motorist in Rochester.
According to New York State Police, 21-year-old Charles Barnes, of Rochester, was driving a Ford Fusion eastbound on the Rochester Inner Loop at approximately 1:26 a.m. when a 2024 Honda CR-V traveling westbound on the eastbound side of the roadway struck the Ford head-on. Following the initial collision, the Ford then struck a 2012 Jeep Liberty.
Barnes was declared deceased at the scene. A 21-year-old passenger riding in the Ford also died in the crash.
The 39-year-old driving the Honda sustained serious injuries, while the 29-year-old driving the Jeep suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials say the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
