Millers Motorworks rebuilds after devastating car crash

On Oct. 10, Millers Motorworks, located at 1281 Elmira Rd. in the hamlet of Newfield, was struck by an automobile, burning down the structure and ending the family-owned motorcycle shop that had provided specialty services and parts to the region for over two decades.

According to New York State Police, at 6 p.m., a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 45-year-old Angelo “True” Legrand departed Legrand’s Second Wind Cottages residence, at 1435 Elmira Rd., heading north.

While traveling approximately 1,100 yards at speeds estimated to have exceeded the legal limit by 30 to 40 miles an hour, Legrand struck a guardrail almost immediately after exiting Second Wind.

Proceeding with no pause while continuing to accelerate, Legrand then veered onto a residential lawn, destroying a mailbox and planters before hitting a second guardrail, where orange cones still block off the damaged rail. Approaching a sharp downward curve of Elmira Road, the Tahoe veered off the road again, striking a tree stump, and became airborne, striking Millers Motorworks.

Upon impact, the vehicle and the shop burst into flames, destroying both the Tahoe and the shop. It’s speculated that the gasoline in the tanks of the motorcycles housed at the business, as well as in the Tahoe, combined with the high-speed impact, started the blaze.

Legrand was airlifted to a trauma facility, where he was treated and eventually released. A female passenger was transported to Cayuga Medical Center for treatment.

Citations and tickets were issued to Legrand by New York state troopers handling the accident. Despite claiming to own the vehicle, Legrand was operating it without a driver’s license, no required insurance and illegal license plates.

In the wake of the devastating loss, owner Aaron Miller plans to rebuild and is looking for answers.

“I have two little ones at home, and I was at a point where I was stable and comfortable,” Miller said. “Now, I have to start all over again. I have no choice. I have to rebuild from the ground up.”

Along with the physical damage come many questions that Miller, as well as members of the Newfield community, would like answered.

“I don’t know why there are no charges and no accountability in this situation,” Miller said. “This person driving has an extensive public criminal history and was operating this vehicle he allegedly owned illegally in every way there is. He came from the Second Wind Cottages, which is a rehabilitation facility that boasts in their list of services that they educate the residents on navigating the DMV and proper operation of vehicles. Somebody is accountable and should take responsibility for this.”

Although Miller was approached a day after the crash by the head of Second Wind Cottages, Carmen Guidi, who apologized for the accident, nothing has been said or done since to address responsibility for it. Legrand’s location is unknown.

Miller noted that, to date, the conversation with Guidi is the only communication he has had with anyone from Second Wind Cottages. Miller says the organization has refused further communications and offered no explanation or assistance. He also noted that the only communication he received from the people who were in the vehicle was from the passenger, who showed up shortly after the accident asking if she could look for personal possessions at the site.

Despite drugs appearing at the location on the day of the incident within feet of the collision, no toxicology tests were administered to Legrand due to the severity of his injuries and the fact that he was transported to a trauma center outside of New York state.

New York state troopers could not comment on the specifics of this incident but did state that public records indicate that Legrand was appropriately cited. They also stated that they are familiar with Legrand through his previous criminal convictions.

This tragedy has shed light on the concerns that have been growing in the Newfield community over the past several months. Second Wind Cottages has openly housed residents with histories ranging from sex offenses to arson. Many in the community have long held questions about the criteria for participating in the facility’s rehabilitation services and the measures that are in place to monitor residents. When Tompkins Weekly reached out, Second Wind Cottages declined to comment.

One Newfield business owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said, “My shop’s been broken into twice, and it was connected to someone from the Cottages. I have lived in Newfield since 1965 and had a business here since 1980, and now, I have to have security cameras everywhere. This is changing the town I grew up in and love and not for the better. When you ask questions, all you get in response is silence.”

Although Miller has a lot of unanswered questions, he has decided to focus on moving forward and rebuilding his business.

“I just have to keep going,” Miller said. “At a time where I was looking forward to a slower, steady pace, I have to start all over again and rebuild. I have no choice, so that’s what I’m going to do. Rest assured, I will be back!”

Newfield Notes appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.