Waverly student killed in fatal crash in Newfield

On Dec. 12, 2023, at approximately 12:50 p.m., New York State Police at Ithaca responded to a three-vehicle crash on West Danby Road near Piper Road in the Town of Newfield, N.Y.  A passenger, 17-year-old Peyton S. Shaw, of Waverly, N.Y., was pronounced deceased at the scene.  

An investigation revealed that a Toyota Yaris, driven by 18-year-old Dale T. Beeman, of Spencer, N.Y., and a Jeep Patriot were both traveling north on West Danby Road.

According to State Police, the operator of the Jeep Patriot was stopped for another vehicle that was in front of it making a turn when the Jeep Patriot was rear-ended by the Toyota Yaris. The Yaris, according to police, then went into on-coming traffic and was struck by a Cadillac CT6.

The operator of the Toyota Yaris was transported by helicopter to Robert Packer to be treated for serious injuries.

The operator of the Jeep Patriot, 40-year-old Aristopher D. Bo, of Waverly, N.Y., and the operator of the Cadillac CT6, 29-year-old Stephen M. Lucente, of Spencer, N.Y., were checked out on scene by EMS but not transported to local hospitals.  

Following the accident, Waverly’s School Superintendent spoke briefly of the tragedy.

“The district is heartbroken,” said Waverly Superintendent Eric Knolles, adding, “Peyton is the poster child of who we want all of our students to be. She’s a great athlete, supports all of her classmates – just an exemplary model of academic, athletics and leadership in our school. She was an amazing light at the district, and she will be missed by so many. We are a little less than we were yesterday.” 

Knolles added that counselors would be available for any grieving students who need assistance. He also noted that support has been pouring in from districts all across the region, even beyond the Valley area. 

“We’ve received phenomenal support from all over,” he said. “It’s almost overwhelming.”