MALTA, NY - State Police have released the two victims' names involved in a car accident that happened on the corner of Route 9 and Route 9P in Malta Thursday night.
The accident, which happened near the Ripe Tomato restaurant around 9:50 p.m., killed two members of the US Navy, 20-year-old Joshua
Williammee of Texas, and 20-year-old Joshua Smith of Central, NY, as confirmed by the
Saratoga County Coroner.
The two vehicles involved were traveling in opposite directions on Route 9 when they collided head-on in the northbound lanes, police say.
The victims, who were traveling southbound in the same vehicle, a 2006 Hyundai Tiburon, were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Initial investigation reveals that the vehicle driven by Williammee was traveling south on Route 9 at a high rate of speed when it entered the median of the roadway and attempted to pass another uninvolved car also traveling south.
While attempting to pass, the 2006 Hyundai traveled sideways into the northbound lane where it was then struck by a 2011 Toyota operated by 45-year-old Jason Meraner, of Ballston Spa.
Meraner suffered knee, back and neck injuries considered non-life threatening and was transported to Albany Medical Center.
State police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident by creating accident reconstruction.
The accident shut down traffic on Route 9 for several hours Thursday night.
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