RICHFORD, NY (607NewsNow) – A Freeville man is facing charges after a months-long investigation.
On January 3, 2026, 54-year-old David Welch was driving on State Route 79 in Richford when he was involved in a head-on collision.
Authorities say Welch was traveling west in his pickup truck when he collided with a Honda Fit that was traveling east. The Honda operator, 47-year-old Todd Benedict of Binghamton, was pronounced dead at the scene. Welch and a passenger in Benedict’s car were both seriously injured.
Following a six-month investigation, the case was presented to a grand jury, which indicted Welch.
On August 12, members of the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Welch. He is charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, vehicular assault, and two misdemeanors, including driving while ability impaired by drugs and reckless driving.
Welch was arraigned and released under supervision by the Tioga County Probation Department.
