Benton, N.Y. - The step-father of the Penn Yan man charged in Tuesday's crash that killed five people shares his sympathy for the victims.
"Our family is incredibly sorry for what has happened," Jessie MacDonald said over the phone. "There's nothing more we can say."
MacDonald's step-son, Steven Eldridge, is charged with five counts of criminally negligent homicide and DWI.
Police say Eldridge, 42, tried to drive his car around a tractor on Pre-emption Road and crashed into a van carrying 14 people, 13 of whom are Amish. Lyn Oles of Greenwood tried to swerve his van, but the van ended up underneath the tractor.
Eldridge is also charged with reckless driving, failure to keep right and speed not reasonable.
Five people were killed from the Jasper-Woodhull community of Steuben County.
Yates County's Sheriff released their names Wednesday.
They are Melvin Hershberger, Sarah Miller, Melvin Hostetler, Anna Mary Byler, and Elizabeth Mast.
Autopsies were performed Wednesday morning, but the medical examiner is still trying to identify the remains of two of the women.
Nine others were taken to area hospitals, including the tractor driver Tim Labarr and van driver Lyn Oles.
Labarr spoke to 13WHAM at home Wednesday where he is recovering from the crash. He said he's used to cars passing him when he's driving a tractor, but this was the worst incident he has ever seen.
Strong Hospital is treating the patients with the most serious injuries. A hospital spokesperson says five patients are still hospitalized and two were released.
Eldridge was not injured.
A criminal record check shows Eldridge was paroled in 2008 for stealing a Rochester police car in 2006 and leading officers on a police chase.
13WHAM looked into his driving record.
The state Department of Motor Vehicles says Eldridge has a valid driver's license with no driving record.
Sheriff Ron Spike released new information Wednesday afternoon about the crash.
He said Eldridge submitted a urine sample, which the Monroe County Crime Lab will analyze for drugs and alcohol.
Spike said the bodies of the five victims were taken to Steuben County to be buried.
He said they also learned a family dog died in the van.
