moe. Shares Statement Regarding Deadly Car Crash Following New Year’s Eve Concert In Rochester
The fiery incident outside the Kodak Center left multiple people dead and others hospitalized with injuries.
By Andy Kahn Jan 2, 2024 • 8:22 am PST
Update
Jan 3, 2024 • 5:00 am PST
Officials identified the two passengers who died at the scene of the crash. The victims were 28-year-old Justina Hughes of Geneva, New York and 29-year-old Joshua Orr 29 of Webster, New York. Their families released the statements below:
Justina Hughes Family Statement
Justina was our family’s beautiful free spirit and she was loved by all of us beyond measure. She had an old soul and cared deeply for her family and friends. She was a talented artist who loved nature, and took every opportunity to hike a new trail and find a new waterfall. And oh how she loved music. It was the passion that gave her the most joy. We take peace in knowing that Justina and her very best friend, Josh, spent their last moments together, enjoying their passion and friendship. We also take comfort in knowing that many other lives were saved because they became, albeit unaware, a shield for others. And because of that, they will forever be heroes. We ask that you take a moment to reflect on the young lives that were taken away from their families and friends.
Josh Orr Family Statement:
Josh was a beautiful, generous human, filled with love and positivity and an advocate for those struggling with mental health. Aside from his family, he loved his girlfriend and his dog Eddie. On New Year’s Eve Josh was doing his favorite thing in the world, attending a Grateful Dead tribute band when he was taken from us. Josh is a hero and saved countless lives from being taken away from our community. We are thankful for all of the first responders of Fire, EMS and Law Enforcement for doing everything they could to help our son and his dear friend
“On a night that was meant for celebration and togetherness, we are faced instead with a tragedy that defies understanding,” moe. wrote in a statement addressing the deadly car crash that occurred outside of the Kodak Center in Rochester, New York shortly after the conclusion of the band’s New Year’s Eve concert. The incident resulted in multiple deaths and others hospitalized with injuries.
During a press conference on Monday, Rochester Police Chief David Smith stated that at approximately 12:50 a.m. on January 1, a Ford SUV crashed into a Mitsubishi Outlander. Two passengers in the Mitsubishi Outlander died. The driver of the Outlander, who was working for Uber, was taken to the hospital with injuries. The colliding vehicles also injured several pedestrians leaving the nearby moe. concert.
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First responders reportedly found more than a dozen gasoline canisters at the crash scene. Firefighters spent nearly one hour extinguishing the massive blaze caused by the incident.
The driver of the Ford SUV has been identified as Syracuse resident Michael Avery, who was hospitalized with severe injuries. At a second press conference on Tuesday (January 2), Smith confirmed Avery later died on January 1. Despite previous reports, Smith confirmed no suicide note was found in Avery’s hotel room, and a motive remains unknown.
“At this time, we’ve not been able to identify that there was anyone else involved in the crime, or that it was part of a larger plot,” Smith stated. “Additionally, we have not uncovered any information leading us to believe that the actions of Michael Avery on New Year’s Eve were motivated by any form of political or social biases.”
Authorities spoke to members of Avery’s family who speculated the 35-year-old may have had “undiagnosed mental health issues.” The investigation is currently ongoing.
A GoFundMe campaign was established for one of the injured pedestrians.
Read moe.’s full statement regarding the tragic incident below:
Last night’s events outside the Kodak Center have left us all in profound shock and sadness. On a night that was meant for celebration and togetherness, we are faced instead with a tragedy that defies understanding. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who lost their lives, and our thoughts are with those who were injured.
We are immensely thankful to the first responders and venue staff for their swift and courageous actions in securing everyone’s safety. The support and resilience shown by our Famoe.ly is a powerful reminder of the strength of our community.
In these moments of confusion and grief, we stand together in solidarity. While the full details of the incident are still unfolding, our focus remains on the well-being of those affected and on the spirit of unity that has always been the hallmark of our community.
We believe in the power of music to heal and unite, and it is in this spirit that we will continue to move forward. We are reminded of how precious each moment is and the importance of supporting one another through all times, good and bad. Let us hold onto the values of compassion, love, and community that define us.
Take care of yourselves and each other, as we navigate this time together.
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