Family, friends share memories of Glenville crash victims 

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Loved ones shared memories of the four young victims of that deadly Glenville crash over Labor Day weekend. John Kemp’s mom tells NEWS10 he was her only son and he had just lost his half-brother the day before. 

Kemp’s family gathered in Schenectady on what would have been his 25th birthday. Kemp was in the vehicle with three others, they were 24 year old Elijah Holmes, 24 year old Quiessence Irizarry and her brother 25 year old Nyvon Irizarry. 

Quiessence, who was endearingly referred to as QuiQui, was remembered by her best friend, Kaylee Jimenez.

“She was really a beautiful person. She was really just starting her life on her own, in her own house, with her own little family. Her own kids. Just starting to really become an adult and her time definitely wasn’t now, she didn’t deserve any of this,” said Jimenez. “There was never a dull moment, never not a time where there wasn’t a laugh or a smile.”

She described Quiessence as an all around great person who didn’t go out much. But she went out Saturday night.

Police said they received the call at 3:20 A.M. on September 1 but they believe the accident occurred around 3:00 A.M. A 2022 Honda Civic had been traveling eastbound on Route 5 before it veered off the south side of the road, crashing into trees before landing in a ditch, where authorities found the vehicle.

NEWS10 obtained video from one local business that shows the moments before the fatal crash. The Full Throttle Repair Shop business owner tells me they shared the video with police. 

It shows two people exit one vehicle, monitoring the scene of the crash as law enforcement investigates.

A memorial has grown at the crash site. All victims were young parents who had young children.

The Irizarry siblings will have a joint funeral next week.

“It’s a shame that both of them together got taken from everybody in that way,” said Jimenez.

Glenville Police Chief Stephen Janik preliminary reports from investigators suggest speed was a factor in the crash but they’re looking for more infomation.

“We know there’s a lot of misinformation, disinformation, and other things that are going on on Facebook right now that are based out of emotion,” said Janik.

He said they have been receiving new information and are investigating all leads but still need people with solid information to come forward. 

“What we are looking for is somebody with some courage, somebody who has a heart and who is a good human being that has information that they want to give and they want to help with the family in this tragedy and give that information to us as quickly as possible. That’s what we need. We need somebody with courage to come forward,” said Janik.

Kemp’s family gathered in Schenectady, honoring him on what would have been his 25th birthday. He has a GoFundMe set up, as well as the Irizarry siblings.

Chief Janik said anyone with information should come forward, at this point they cannot be charged with a DWI.