CHENANGO COUNTY – Two separate crashes claimed the lives of three individuals over the July 4th holiday weekend in Chenango County.

According to a release from the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, On Friday, July 1, The CCSO investigated a two car fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 5:35 a.m. on County Road 29 in the Town of New Berlin. Vehicle one, operated by Matthew Collins, 19, of Plymouth, was traveling eastbound on County Road 29 when it crossed the center line into the path of vehicle two, being operated by John Mckernan, 65, of New Berlin.

Mckernan died at the scene. Collins was not injured in the crash. Collins was ticketed for failure to keep right and will appear in court at a later date. County Road 29 was closed for approximately four hours for crash reconstruction. The CCSO was assisted at the scene by the New Berlin Fire Department.