NICHOLS, N.Y. (September 9, 2025) — The New York State Police have released the names of the two individuals who tragically lost their lives in a devastating two-vehicle collision on State Route 17 in Tioga County. The victims, 45-year-old Frank J. Dempaire of Reading, Pennsylvania, and 45-year-old Elize Carlos of Newark, New Jersey, were traveling together in a passenger car that was struck by a tractor-trailer late Monday afternoon.
The crash occurred just after 5:00 p.m. in the town of Nichols, a stretch of Route 17 often congested with commercial and commuter traffic. According to the preliminary investigation, the tractor-trailer failed to slow down in time and rear-ended the passenger car carrying Dempaire and Carlos, causing catastrophic damage to the smaller vehicle.
Emergency responders from Tioga County Sheriff’s Office, Nichols Fire Department, and Greater Valley EMS rushed to the scene. Despite immediate efforts, both Dempaire and Carlos were pronounced dead at the scene. Their families have since been notified.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, whose name has not yet been released, suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. State Police noted that toxicology tests and a full mechanical inspection of the tractor-trailer will be conducted as part of the ongoing investigation.
Troopers worked for hours to reconstruct the accident, closing down the eastbound lanes of Route 17 while crews cleared debris and investigators collected evidence. The highway reopened later in the evening, but traffic delays stretched for miles.
Friends and loved ones of both victims are reeling from the sudden loss. Dempaire, remembered as a hardworking family man from Reading, leaves behind a wife and two children. Carlos, a Newark resident, was described by friends as someone who always put others first and had an infectious laugh.
The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to the crash, including whether distracted driving, speed, or driver fatigue may have played a role.
State Police are urging anyone who witnessed the collision or has information that could assist investigators to contact the SP Owego barracks at (607) 687-3961.
As two families mourn the lives of Frank J. Dempaire and Elize Carlos, the Nichols community joins them in grief, with many calling for renewed discussions about highway safety along the busy Route 17 corridor.
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