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Three young people, including former Oakfield-Alabama football star, killed in accident

By Howard B. Owens

(UPDATED 12:49 p.m.)

One of Oakfield-Alabama's football stars of the past decade was among three people killed in an accident on Albion Road in Oakfield overnight.

Matthew Ware, 22, and Joshua Durham, 21, were declared dead at the scene, according to a statement issued by the Sheriff's Office.

Ware, a running back for O-A, was named to the All-State second team in 2004 and 2005.

Durham was on the track and baseball teams during those same years. He was a Genesee Region League track All-Star in 2007.

Allyson E. Galens, 20, of Stanley, was a passenger in the 2005 Scion TC. She was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC. Galens was declared dead at 4 a.m.

The trio had been at the Elba Onion Festival prior to the accident, according to Sheriff Gary Maha. Maha said investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the accident.

The accident occurred at 1:37 a.m. on Albion Road just past Lockport Road. The car collided with a utility pole.

Oakfield Fire responded to the scene.

No further information about the accident was released.

The investigation is ongoing and being handled by Investigator Timothy Weis, Sgt. Greg Walker, Deputy Frank Bordonaro, Deputy James Diehl and Deputy John Duyseen of the Crash Management Team.

Photos: Top, Matthew Ware, from his Facebook Page; Joshua Durham, from his MySpace page; Josh and Allyson Galens from Josh's Facebook page.

UPDATE 6:10 p.m.: Top photo, flowers left at the scene of the accident. Below, sign in the beer tent at the Elba Onion Festival. I wanted to talk with somebody from the organization about the positive steps they take to discourage drinking and driving (not that that has been established in this case), including having firefighters available to give free rides home, but officials steadfastly refused to speak.


bud prevost

As the parent of a child in this age group, I can't tell you how sad I feel for the families and friends of these kids. It helps put the trivial stuff in perspective.

Aug 7, 2010, 12:21pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

"if you've had too much to drive....."

and when you have had too much you don't think you have

it's best to make plans BEFORE, have a designated driver, or make plans for a safe way home!!!

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends, can't imagine what they are going through.

Aug 7, 2010, 11:53pm Permalink
JT Hunt

the girl appears to be holding a beer bottle in the photo of her with the guy. was she only 20? i know she wasn't driving, but if her toxicology shows she was drunk, it may be bad news for Elba. is there any way they could still raise money and NOT sell beer?

Aug 8, 2010, 11:31am Permalink
George Richardson

If you hold a carnival in WNY, without a beer tent, you'll have Mom's and little kids during the day and Mom's, kids and a few Dads in the evening. The real money comes from everyone else who will have gone somewhere else because they don't have a beer tent anymore. Everybody needs one friend who loves to drive but hates the taste of alcohol. I used to have one but then he got married too.

Aug 8, 2010, 2:29pm Permalink
George Richardson

I have a boy this same age and I talk to him about drinking and driving until I'm blue in the face. So far he has been very lucky and sometimes he actually does think first and he rides the bus. There are three sets of parents still crying their eyes out today and the thought of it breaks my heart. The idea that I could lose my boy is something I won't even let myself think about. But, it's out of my control because he has a mind of his own and sometimes fate is cruel.

Aug 8, 2010, 2:52pm Permalink
Ron C Welker

OMG! is this the time to be worring about the beer tent's future?
Our heart felt prayers go out to the Parents and friends of the young lives lost this weekend.

Aug 8, 2010, 4:19pm Permalink
Bryant Tyson

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I did not say anything about a beer tent. I wouldn't mind a bit if all beer tents were shut down forever. Events can attract people to raise funds without the drinking.
It is truly sad that three young adults lost there lives and very fortunat no one else lost there's being more than one car went off the road that night.

Aug 9, 2010, 10:24am Permalink

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