A quiet Thursday afternoon in the small town of Malone, New York, turned tragic on June 27, 2025, when 79-year-old Makhan Singh—a longtime resident known for his presence in the community—was fatally struck by a vehicle on U.S. Route 11. The crash occurred just after 4:30 p.m., drawing emergency responders from both the New York State Police and the Malone Rescue Squad. Despite their swift efforts, Singh was pronounced dead at the scene. His sudden death has left the community reeling and raised significant questions about pedestrian safety on one of Franklin County’s busiest highways.
According to preliminary reports, the vehicle involved in the incident was a 2023 black Ford, driven by 38-year-old Kelly L. Helm of Chateaugay. Helm was traveling eastbound on Route 11 at the time of the collision. Law enforcement has not yet released a detailed statement about what led to the crash, and no charges have been filed as of yet. As the investigation remains ongoing, officials are analyzing multiple factors, including visibility, speed, possible distraction, and the layout of the roadway.
Makhan Singh’s passing marks more than just a traffic fatality—it represents the loss of a man who had lived in Malone for decades, known to many as a gentle and familiar figure walking the streets of his neighborhood. Though much about his personal history remains private, neighbors recall seeing him regularly on foot, engaging in routines that gave him both exercise and connection with the community. Whether walking to local shops, visiting friends, or simply enjoying a bit of fresh air, Singh’s presence was one many had come to expect.
The tragedy occurred on a stretch of Route 11 that is well-trafficked but lacks pedestrian infrastructure in some areas. While it remains unclear whether Singh was crossing at a designated point, the absence of sidewalks and crosswalks along portions of this road is a long-standing concern. These missing elements—common in many rural highways—can make pedestrian navigation hazardous, especially for elderly residents.
Residents who live near the crash site have long expressed frustration about traffic patterns along this section of Route 11. Vehicles frequently travel at high speeds, and while the posted speed limits vary depending on proximity to the town center, enforcement is sporadic. Coupled with limited street lighting and infrequent crosswalks, pedestrians often find themselves vulnerable. In Singh’s case, investigators have not yet disclosed whether he was attempting to cross the highway or walking along the shoulder.
Kelly L. Helm, the driver, remained at the scene following the crash and cooperated with authorities. No indications have emerged that drugs, alcohol, or excessive speed were contributing factors. A full forensic investigation, including interviews, vehicle telemetry analysis, and examination of surveillance footage from surrounding businesses, is underway. Investigators are expected to release a full report once all evidence has been analyzed.
While the facts are still emerging, the death of Makhan Singh has reignited conversations in Malone and across Franklin County about the safety of vulnerable road users. Rural areas in New York, while peaceful and scenic, are often designed with cars in mind. As a result, pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users frequently face systemic risks due to inadequate infrastructure and low prioritization of non-motorized travel.
Statistically, pedestrian fatalities are on the rise across the United States, with older adults comprising a disproportionate number of victims. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 20% of pedestrian deaths in 2023 involved individuals over the age of 65. The reasons for this are complex: mobility limitations, slower reaction times, and reduced visibility can all contribute to increased risk.
Yet the systemic design of roads like Route 11 may play an even greater role. High-speed corridors that lack pedestrian buffers or crossings are essentially unforgiving environments for anyone not inside a vehicle. Experts in transportation safety point out that even the best pedestrian behavior cannot fully offset the dangers of roadways engineered for speed and volume rather than accessibility and safety.
For Makhan Singh’s family and friends, these discussions are deeply personal. They are grieving a man who had lived a full life—one marked by quiet dignity, community connection, and independence well into his late 70s. While funeral arrangements have not been publicly announced, neighbors have begun placing candles and flowers near the site of the crash. A hand-written note pinned to a utility pole reads, simply: “We will miss you, Makhan.”
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left not just to mourn but to reflect. Singh’s death serves as a somber reminder that even the most routine daily activity—walking to the store, getting some fresh air—can carry life-threatening risks in the wrong setting. It raises questions that towns like Malone must now confront: What measures can be taken to prevent similar tragedies? Are pedestrian safety audits needed for key corridors like Route 11? Should street lighting, traffic calming, and crosswalks be installed or enhanced?
The answers will not come quickly, but Singh’s memory may provide the moral urgency needed to push those conversations forward. Already, several community members have reached out to local officials calling for a public meeting on pedestrian safety. Others are circulating petitions urging state lawmakers to consider expanded funding for rural pedestrian infrastructure under transportation improvement programs.
Meanwhile, the New York State Police continue their work, encouraging anyone with information about the crash—whether witnesses, nearby businesses with video footage, or passersby who saw Singh prior to the incident—to come forward. Every detail, investigators say, matters.
For now, the town of Malone is navigating the rawness of grief and the weight of reflection. In losing Makhan Singh, the community has not just lost a neighbor—they’ve lost a daily presence, a face that made the streets feel lived-in and familiar. And in that loss, they are being forced to confront an uncomfortable truth: that the roads we take for granted may not be safe for everyone.
The legacy of this tragedy, however, need not be only sorrow. It can also be a turning point—a moment in which the community chooses to look more closely at the way its roads are built, the way its residents move, and the values it places on safety, especially for its most vulnerable members.
Until that transformation happens, one can only hope that Makhan Singh’s final walk will not be remembered only for its tragic end, but for the way it called a community to attention.
Authorities expect to release more details as the investigation continues.