FREEDOM, NY – A car crash that occurred earlier this summer has led to the arrest of a man who was allegedly under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. The crash resulted in the death of his sister and young niece. The incident took place on June 17, when 21-year-old Evan Klink was driving a Dodge Ram and veered into the opposite lane, colliding with a 2005 Ford Focus.
The Ford Focus was carrying several passengers, including Klink’s sister and niece. According to a statement from the New York State Police, the Dodge Ram was traveling west on Freedom Road when it crossed the center line and struck the oncoming Ford Focus. The driver of the Ford, 24-year-old Dahlia J. Klink, and a 4-year-old passenger were airlifted to a hospital due to severe injuries.
Two other passengers in the Ford, 17-year-old Havanah S. Lopez and 6-year-old Molly Kibler, were pronounced dead at the scene. Evan Klink, the driver of the Dodge Ram, was treated for injuries before being taken to SP Warsaw for further evaluation. Cameron Klink, 19, a passenger in the Dodge, was also airlifted to a hospital while suffering from serious injuries.
Dahlia J. Klink, unfortunately, succumbed to her injuries the following day at Erie County Medical Center. After a three-month-long investigation, Evan Klink was charged with the murder of Lopez, Kibler, and his sister, Dahlia Klink.
On September 21, Evan Klink was arrested and charged with three counts of second-degree murder. He also has been charged with one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, as well as first-degree vehicular manslaughter, first-degree vehicular assault, reckless driving, and driving while ability impaired by drugs. The New York State Police and the Cattaraugus District Attorney’s Office worked together to make the indictment and arrest.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing. The organizations involved in this investigation include the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Cattaraugus County District Attorney’s Office, and Arcade Fire Department.