Craig Cavallaro was killed Saturday afternoon in a violent two-vehicle crash on West Ridge Road at Elmgrove Road in the Town of Greece. Police say the collision unfolded just after 1 p.m. and ended a life that friends describe as deeply devoted to family and joy.
Investigators say a westbound truck slammed into another westbound vehicle that was stopped at a red light. The impact was severe. Cavallaro, the driver and only occupant of the striking vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Inside the stopped vehicle were two people who suffered catastrophic injuries. Both were rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital with serious trauma. Fire officials also confirmed a dog died in the crash, underscoring the sudden and total devastation left behind.
One of the injured victims has been identified as Riesen Kimmerly, who remains in critical condition. She and her boyfriend, Tyler, were rear-ended at a high rate of speed. Both sustained multiple broken bones and traumatic head injuries. Their three-month-old puppy, Monty, was killed instantly.
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Doctors say Kimmerly is sedated and on a ventilator as they work to stabilize her. She is being treated for a collapsed lung, a brain bleed, arterial tears in her neck, and multiple fractures to her hip, shoulder, and skull. She has already undergone surgery and faces extensive testing and ongoing care.
As the investigation continues, the community has turned its attention to remembering Craig Cavallaro. Friends describe him as hardworking and driven, a man whose world revolved around his wife, Kell, and their two young sons. Everything he did, they say, was for his family.
Craig was known for his easy smile and contagious laughter. He had a gift for making people feel welcome. Sports were his love language with his boys—playing, coaching, practicing, and cheering from the sidelines. Friends believe his greatest wish would be for his sons to keep doing what they love and to hold on to joy, even now.
Kell, a stay-at-home mother, is now facing life without her partner while raising two young children. She must navigate funeral costs, household bills, and daily expenses Craig worked tirelessly to cover. The loss is personal, financial, and overwhelming.
Police say the crash remains under active investigation. No additional details have been released as authorities work to determine exactly what led to the collision on West Ridge Road.
