SUMMERHILL, N.Y. — John R. Sanford, 51, of Groton, New York, tragically lost his life in a single-vehicle crash on State Route 90 in Summerhill, Cayuga County, on the evening of Monday, July 7, 2025.
According to the New York State Police, the crash occurred around 5:00 p.m. when Sanford, driving a 2017 Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck eastbound, lost control of the vehicle. The truck veered off the roadway and overturned. Sanford, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was partially ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene.
A passenger in the vehicle, 47-year-old Lawanda H. Eaton of Cortland, survived the crash without apparent injuries. She was transported to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where she remains in stable condition.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is working alongside the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office and the Locke Fire Department to determine the factors that led to the accident.
Sanford’s sudden passing has sent waves of grief through the Groton community and beyond. Friends, family, and neighbors have shared condolences and tributes to a man remembered for his presence and spirit.
Authorities continue to urge all drivers to wear seatbelts and drive with caution, as investigations into this heartbreaking incident proceed.
Leave a Reply