The Town of Locke is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Lester B. Doolittle, 65, whose life was tragically cut short in a fatal single-vehicle crash on the evening of Sunday, July 19, 2026. His sudden passing has left his family, friends, and the entire community grieving the loss of a man whose presence and kindness will be deeply missed.
According to the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded shortly after 7:00 p.m. to a reported crash on State Route 38, just south of Tucker Hill Road. Upon arrival, emergency crews discovered a Toyota RAV4 that had struck a tree. Preliminary findings indicate that Lester was traveling northbound when his vehicle crossed the center line, left the west shoulder of the roadway, and collided with the tree. Despite the rapid response of first responders, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
The roadway remained closed for several hours as investigators carefully examined the crash site. Multiple agencies, including the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Locke Fire Department, Four Town Ambulance, Cayuga County 9-1-1, and the Cayuga County Coroner’s Office, assisted with the response. Authorities have not yet announced the cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.
As loved ones struggle to come to terms with this devastating loss, they remember Lester not for the tragedy that claimed his life, but for the life he lived and the memories he created. His warmth, compassion, and the relationships he built throughout the years will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
May Lester B. Doolittle rest in eternal peace, and may his family and friends find strength, comfort, and healing in the cherished memories they shared with him during this difficult time.
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