By: Richard L. Smith
An early morning collision on State Route 17 in Tioga County claimed the lives of two people after a passenger car was struck by a tractor trailer, authorities said.
The crash happened on September 8, 2025, just after 4:30 a.m., when both vehicles were traveling eastbound through the town of Nichols.
Investigators reported that the tractor trailer rear-ended the passenger car, leaving both occupants of the smaller vehicle dead at the scene.
According to a statement released by New York State Police to RLS Media, the victims were identified as Mr. Frank J. Dempaire (left), 45, of Reading, Pennsylvania, and Mr. Elize Carlos, 45, of Newark, New Jersey.
Both men were raised in Newark; attended The Chad Science Academy which has been closed for some years now. I knew both young men, after teaching at the school. They both were great individuals who I often kept in touch with on Facebook.
It is believed that the pair were returning home from Buffalo Bills NFL Football game but police have not confirmed.
Police told me that the driver of the tractor trailer was not injured.
For several hours, all eastbound lanes between Exit 61 (Barton) and Exit 62 (Nichols) were shut down while troopers and first responders investigated. 
State Route 17 was later reopened.
Authorities said the investigation remained ongoing and additional information would be released after families were notified.