Two St. Lawrence County crashes raise questions about police accounts

Two separate crashes in St. Lawrence County over the Oct. 17-18 weekend involved a water buffalo on U.S. Route 11 in Stockholm and a Potsdam man who was struck while removing a deer carcass from State Route 56 in Norfolk. The Norfolk crash has prompted questions from the injured man about the State Police account and whether additional action was taken.

At about 6:50 p.m. Oct. 17, a red 2017 Jeep driven by Kristen L. Rozelle, 50, of Norwood, was traveling southwest on U.S. Route 11 when a water buffalo entered the roadway, according to New York State Police. The Jeep struck the animal head-on. Rozelle and passenger Lindsey Baker, 27, of Potsdam, were taken to Canton-Potsdam Hospital for evaluation. State Police said neither was injured and that the water buffalo died.

The animal's owner was identified in reporting as Sean Myers. Myers told State Police the buffalo had traveled less than a mile from his farm and declined comment, citing impending litigation. State Police had not determined where the animal came from. Rozelle has said an eyewitness saw the animal cross a field and jump a guardrail, but that account was not included in the State Police release. Reports that the buffalo weighed about 2,300 pounds and that the Jeep was traveling 52 mph have not been confirmed by State Police.

At about 6:57 p.m. Oct. 18, a northbound red 2010 Toyota driven by Jason Briggs, 44, of Potsdam, struck a deer on State Route 56 in Norfolk, State Police said. Bradley F. Jerome, 50, of Potsdam, was removing the deer when Mark J. Gonyou, 38, of Norfolk, driving a southbound white 2011 Chevrolet, struck him. State Police said Gonyou failed to see Jerome in the roadway.

Jerome was taken to Canton-Potsdam Hospital with injuries State Police described as non-life-threatening. Jerome says he suffered an 8-inch head laceration that required 36 stitches, a broken nose, a concussion and black eyes, and has been unable to eat or work since the crash. He also says he was standing in a pedestrian lane, while State Police said he was in the roadway. State Police have not confirmed those additional injury details.

Jerome questioned whether toxicology testing was conducted and said he was told charges were being held while he recovered. State Police said the investigation resulted in traffic tickets for alleged Vehicle and Traffic Law violations, but the specific tickets were not identified.

The crashes occurred in an area where wildlife collisions are more commonly associated with deer and smaller animals, making the Stockholm water buffalo crash unusual. Route 56 in Norfolk also has been the site of other serious crashes, including a July 24, 2024, two-car crash that killed one driver and a Sept. 6, 2025, head-on crash between County Route 40 and Route 310 that killed one driver, injured another person and closed the route for about five hours.

Updates about the Norfolk investigation are issued through New York State Police Troop B, headquartered in Ray Brook. Trooper Brandi M. Ashley is listed as the investigation contact. Accident reports can be requested through the New York State Police accident report request page.