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The driver of the sport utility vehicle that caused a fiery fatal crash on West Ridge Road in Rochester on New Year’s Day has died, according to Rochester police.
Michael Avery, 35, of Syracuse died Monday night at Strong Memorial Hospital following an early morning crash outside the Kodak Center following a concert at the venue.
Police found his vehicle had been filled with gasoline canisters just before he drove his vehicle into the crowd.
Investigators have thus far found no evidence the incident was a terror attack or was otherwise driven by Mr Avery’s ideology.
Previous reporting suggested a suicide note had been found, but police clarified on Tuesday that no note was found among Mr Avery’s possessions.
Rochester Police Chief David Smith believes Mr Avery was possibly suffering a mental health break.
“Avery may have been suffering from possible undiagnosed mental health issues,” he said during a Tuesday press conference.
No suicide note found
Previous reporting suggested Michael Avery had left behind a suicide note before he crashed his car, but Rochester police dismissed that rumor on Tuesday.
Rochester Police Chief David Smith said no note or journal has been located, and that there is currently no known motive to explain why Mr Avery wrecked his car on New Year’s Eve.
Mr Smith said after speaking to Mr Avery’s family, he believes that Mr Avery was likely suffering from mental health issues.
Crash fire took more than an hour for Rochester firefighters to stop
The fire that erupted after Michael Avery crashed his car into a busy intersection in Rochester, New York, reportedly took firefighters more than an hour to squash.
The flames were fueled by canisters Mr Avery reportedly had filled with gasoline and stored in his car prior to driving into the busy intersection.
