[UPDATE 1/4/24]: In the wake of the the deadly crash outside Rochester, NY’s Kodak Center following Sunday night’s moe. New Year’s Eve show, the band has shared links to a pair of GoFundMe campaigns for two fans affected by the incident.
“Famoe.ly,” the band wrote in a social media post, “in times of darkness, our strength shines brightest when we come together. Use the links below to support two families from our community who were directly impacted by the tragic incident on New Year’s Eve outside of the Kodak Center.
The first GoFundMe campaign was launched by the brother of Joshua Orr, one of the two fans who died when an SUV filled with gasoline canisters struck the ride-share vehicle in which they were passengers while it was were leaving the venue’s parking lot. The campaign aims to cover funeral costs for Joshua and associated grief counseling for his family. Donate to the Joshua Orr GoFundMe here.
The second is for Sharah Stevens, one of the people who was injured when the fiery wreck crashed through a pedestrian crosswalk after the collision. Sharah was taken to the hospital with a broken pelvis and several broken ribs and underwent surgery on January 2nd. The campaign aims to help cover her medicals costs and help her get back to work. You can donate to the Sharah Stevens GoFundMe here.
Scroll down to read more details about the incident. Our hearts are with everyone affected by this senseless act of destruction.
[1/2/24]: A fiery crash between two vehicles outside of Sunday night’s New Year’s Eve concert by the jam band moe. at Rochester, NY’s Kodak Center left three people dead and several more injured. Per various reports, at least a dozen canisters of gasoline were found inside the striking vehicle, leading local and federal law enforcement authorities to open an investigation into whether or not the incident was an intentional act of violence and what the driver’s motive may have been.
As Rochester police chief David Smith explained in a New Year’s Day press conference, “Early this morning, the Rochester community suffered another tragedy as two people were killed and two more are fighting for their life as a result of a motor vehicle collision on West Ridge Road. At approximately 12:50 a.m., officers were assigned to the Kodak Center for a concert with approximately 1,000 people. As the concert let out, we had two Rochester Police Department officers assisting with crossing pedestrians at the crosswalk just in front of the location. Just before the crosswalk. An eastbound Ford Expedition struck a Mitsubishi Outlander that was exiting a nearby parking lot. [At the time, the Outlander was working as a rideshare vehicle with passengers in the back seat]. The force of the collision caused the two vehicles to go through a group of pedestrians that were in the crosswalk and then into two other vehicles.”
“There was a large fire associated with the crash that took the Rochester Fire Department almost one hour to extinguish,” Chief Smith continued. “As a result of the collision, two [passengers] in the Mitsubishi Outlander were killed and the driver was transported to Rochester General Hospital in non-life-threatening condition. Numerous pedestrians, including a Rochester Police Department officer, were nearly struck by the vehicles. Three pedestrians were struck and transported to Strong Hospital. One of them is currently in life-threatening condition, and the other two are in non-life-threatening condition.”
Smith added on Tuesday that the driver of the Expedition, later identified as 35-year-old Syracuse, NY resident Michael Avery, “sped up, crossed into the ongoing lane of traffic, and appears to have intentionally been driving towards the pedestrian crossing.” Avery was also transported to Strong Hospital with life-threatening injuries. He died in the early hours of January 2nd.
“Once the fire was extinguished,” the Rochester police chief added in his January 1st press statement, “first responders located at least a dozen gasoline canisters in and around the striking vehicle. Based on the danger level associated with these, the Rochester Police Department bomb squad and the joint arson task force responded to the scene. … We are currently working with our federal partners, including the F.B.I., to learn exactly what led to this crash.” Per CNN, a White House official confirmed that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the crash.
“It was only about 20 feet from the building,” one concert attendee told CNN after the fact, “and at the time when everyone was funneling out, the flames were probably still, like, 15 feet high.”
“As we walked down into the hallway,” another attendee noted, “going down the stairs, the smell of gasoline was just so intense. I couldn’t believe how strong it was.”
According to early findings from the investigation into the crash, Michael Avery on Friday rented the Ford Expedition from a rental car agency at the Rochester airport. Throughout the day on Saturday, he purchased gasoline and gas canisters from various stores around the city. Authorities currently believe he acted alone and on Tuesday reversed previous reports that a suicide note had been found in his hotel room. Based on conversations with Avery’s family, authorities believe that the driver suffered from mental health issues.
moe. on Monday issued a statement on the crash outside its New Year’s show on the band’s social media pages. “Last night’s events outside the Kodak Center have left us all in profound shock and sadness,” the band wrote. “On a night that was meant for celebration and togetherness, we are faced instead with a tragedy that defies understanding. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who lost their lives, and our thoughts are with those who were injured. … In these moments of confusion and grief, we stand together in solidarity. While the full details of the incident are still unfolding, our focus remains on the well-being of those affected and on the spirit of unity that has always been a hallmark of our community.”
Watch footage of the fire, news coverage on the crash, and the initial press conference from the Rochester police chief and mayor below and scroll down to read the statement on the incident from moe.
Rochester Crash Investigated As Possible Terrorism Attempt – 1/2/24 – ABC News
Video Shows Fiery Crash Scene Outside moe. NYE Concert – 1/1/24 – CNN
West Ridge Road Crash Press Conference – Rochester PD – 1/1/24
Read the full statement from moe. on the incident below:
Last night’s events outside the Kodak Center have left us all in profound shock and sadness. On a night that was meant for celebration and togetherness, we are faced instead with a tragedy that defies understanding. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who lost their lives, and our thoughts are with those who were injured.
We are immensely thankful to the first responders and venue staff for their swift and courageous actions in securing everyone’s safety. The support and resilience shown by our Famoe.ly is a powerful reminder of the strength of our community.
In these moments of confusion and grief, we stand together in solidarity. While the full details of the incident are still unfolding, our focus remains on the well-being of those affected and on the spirit of unity that has always been a hallmark of our community.
We believe in the power of music to heal and unite, and it is in this spirit that we will continue to move forward. We are reminded of how precious each moment is and the importance of supporting one another through all times, good and bad. Let us hold onto the values of compassion, love, and community that define us.
Take care of yourselves and each other, as we navigate this time together.
This story is developing.
The post Car Filled With Gas Cans Crashes Outside moe. NYE Show In Rochester, Leaves Multiple Dead [Update] appeared first on L4LM.
