PRESS RELEASE

UPDATED September 21, 2023

On June 17, 2023 at 12:07 p.m., Troopers out of SP Machias responded to a head-on collision on Freedom Road in the town of Freedom.

 The investigation determined that a 2006 Dodge Ram traveling westbound on Freedom Road crossed the center line and struck an oncoming 2005 Ford Focus traveling eastbound.

The operator of the Ford, Dahlia J. Klink, 24 of Freedom, NY and a 4-year-old passenger were taken by Mercy Flight for serious injuries. The other two passengers in the Ford, Havanah S. Lopez, 17 of Java, NY and Molly Kibler, 6 of Freedom, NY were deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Dodge, Evan R. Klink, 21, of Freedom, NY was treated for injuries and then transported to SP Warsaw for an evaluation and the passenger of the Dodge, Cameron Klink, 19, of Freedom, NY was transported by Mercy Flight with serious injuries. 

On June 18, 2023, Dahlia J. Klink, 24, of Freedom, NY succumbed to her injuries while at Erie County Medical Center.

UPDATE- On September 21, 2023, Evan R. Klink, 21 of Freedom, NY was arrested for Murder 2nd degree-3 counts, Aggravated Vehicular Homicide- 1 count, Vehicular Manslaughter 1st degree- 1 count, Vehicular Assault 1st degree-1 count, Reckless Driving, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and other vehicle traffic tickets.

The New York State Police and the Cattaraugus District Attorney’s Office working in collaboration, effectively made the indictment and arrest on the charges of Evan Klink. 

The operators of both vehicles involved were brother and sister. 

NYSP Collision Reconstruction Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Cattaraugus County District Attorney’s Office and Arcade Fire Department assisted in this investigation.