An upstate New York mother and her 18-year-old son were killed in a head-on collision on their way back from a college orientation Friday when another motorist swerved into their lane, according to authorities and family friends.
Recent high school grad Colin Ferrell was behind the wheel of a 2015 Acura RDX with his mother Tiffany Ferrell in the passenger seat when they were killed in the daylight crash on Interstate 86 in the town of Chemung at around 5 p.m., New York State police said.
The other driver, Steven Mallory, 36, who was driving a 2018 Nissan Maxima also died at the scene.
Mallory, of Horseheads, was driving westbound when he crossed over the median and into the eastbound lane where he smashed into Ferrell’s car, state police said.
Mallory, a father, reportedly suffered a medical emergency leading up to the crash, a family friend wrote on a fundraising page, but investigators were not able to immediately confirm that detail.
A state police spokesperson said authorities need to investigate more before providing further details about the crash.
Colin and Tiffany, who lived in the village of Endicott, were on their way home from a college orientation, a family friend wrote in a GoFundMe post raising money for their grieving family.
“Tiffany Ferrell has the largest heart and has always been there for everyone. She was full of life and could make anyone smile and laugh. She had so much love to give,” the fundraising post read.
“Her son Colin was the most likable and respectful person you would ever meet. He would be anyone’s friend and always willing to lend a helping hand.”
Colin was a 2024 graduate of Union-Endicott High School and his mother was an involved parent in the school system, school leaders said.
“Colin was a kind and compassionate student who loved playing baseball, and Tiffany was a dedicated volunteer for the district, involved in many school and community-related endeavors,” Superintendent Nicole Wolfe and high school Principal Steven DiStefano told the Press and Sun Bulletin.
The mother and son leave behind husband and father, Dan, and Colin’s two siblings.
Mallory leaves behind a 7-year-old son, according to the fundraiser started by his loved ones. He buried his mother just six weeks before his death.
“He was loved by not only his family, but by his family of coworkers and friends,” the fundraising post stated. “Steven was a loving father, brother and was always there to help out anyone else whenever they asked.”