A quiet Friday night in Lawrence County turned tragic when a family trip ended in a fatal two-vehicle crash at a rural intersection that many locals already know can be dangerous.
It happened on May 29, 2026, at about 9:19 p.m. at the crossing of County Route 55 and U.S. Route 11 in the town of Lawrence, St. Lawrence County.
Investigators say a 2016 Honda CR-V carrying a family was traveling eastbound on U.S. Route 11 when it was struck at the passenger side by a Chevrolet Traverse that failed to stop at the intersection.
Inside the CR-V were driver Jesse P. Kaska, his front-seat passenger Tammy Brunette-Kaska, and three teenagers from Chateaugay and Brushton.
Tammy Brunette-Kaska was rushed to Canton-Potsdam Hospital after the crash. Despite medical efforts, she later died from her injuries.
The driver Jesse Kaska and the three teenage passengers were all seriously injured. Two of the teens were later transferred to Upstate University Hospital, where they remain in stable but critical condition, while the third teen and Jesse Kaska remain hospitalized in stable condition.
Authorities say the Chevrolet Traverse was driven by Ricky L. DeShane of Brasher Falls. He was heading northbound on County Route 55 when officials say he failed to stop and entered the intersection, striking the CR-V.
DeShane was also taken to Alice Hyde Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials have not said what caused him to fail to stop, and the investigation remains ongoing as crash reconstruction continues.
