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Rollover accident with fire reported on Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

There is a one-vehicle rollover accident reported in the westbound lane of the Thruway at mile marker 399.1 in Pembroke.

The vehicle is reportedly on fire and one person may have been dragged from the roadway.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire are being dispatched along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 8:55 p.m.: First responder reports the car is fully involved.

UPDATE 9:11 p.m.: The fire is out. The Thruway is closed. Firefighters are now searching the area for possible passengers. It still unknown how many occupants were in the car.

UPDATE 9:39 p.m.: Fire units are leaving the scene. No further information available at this time.

UPDATE 10:58 p.m.: East Pembroke just cleared the Thruway and went back in service.

UPDATE Sunday morning: The Buffalo News reports this was a fatal accident. Mark Deacon, 53, of Buffalo, sustained head injuries in the accident and died at ECMC. He had been ejected from his 1997 Chevy Blazer after it overturned. Deacon apparently over corrected after his vehicle drifted onto the left shoulder. There is no report of other accident victims.

Akron man accused of assaulting ex-girlfriend in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

An Akron man faces six criminal charges and has been jailed on $50,000 following an alleged domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend in Pembroke.

Charles William Schilling, 26, of 9 Exchange St., Akron, is accused is of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's home at 6 a.m. today and assaulting and threatening her in front of her 7-year-old son.

Schilling was arraigned on three felony and three misdemeanor charges.

He is charged with burglary 2nd, coercion 1st, criminal mischief 1st, menacing 3rd, endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest.

Police Beat: Man accused of stealing gun from store in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

Jason Howard Freeman, 28, of 5312 Genesee St., Bowmansville, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Freeman is accused of stealing a firearm from A & K Gun Sales in Corfu. Freeman was issued an appearance ticket. The case was investigated by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Eric D. Halsey, 18, of 3718 Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. On Dec. 31 at 10:45 p.m., Halsey allegedly grabbed a woman by the face and threatened to smash her car window and hurt her.

Ian C. Lawlis, 29, of Overlook Drive, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd. Lawlis allegedly backed into Ellicott Street unsafely and then sped away, traveling at 40 mph in a 30 mph zone. Lawlis was stopped by Sgt. Greg Walker. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Lawlis was allegedly operating on a suspended license. Lawlis was also cited for other alleged violations, such as unsafe backing, speeding, operating without insurance and failure to notify DMV of address change.

Ronald Louis MacGregor, 41, 6960 Cole Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd. Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a car driving without headlines and heavy front-end damage. The car was reportedly found at MacGregor's address. Upon investigation, Deputy James Diehl charged him with the listed offenses. Following arraignment, bail was set at $100.

David W. McCoy, 49, of 101 Kurtz Ave., Lancaster, is charged with DWI, driving left of pavement markings and failure to obey traffic control device. McCoy was stopped on Route 77 in Corfu at 8:21 p.m. Friday by Le Roy Police Officer Edward Caton and charged with the listed offenses.

Two passengers injured in accident after driver strikes deer

By Howard B. Owens

A teen-age driver reportedly struck a deer Wednesday evening, over corrected and overturned her car in a ditch on Boyce Road in Pembroke.

Two of her passengers were injured.

Taken to UMMC for treatment were Randy J. Hesler, 16 and Amanda Richley, 18.

Kelsey Nichole Milks, 17, of 576 Main Road, Corfu, was driving a 2001 Pontiac sedan at 9:21 p.m. She was uninjured.

A fourth passenger, Abbigayle R. Henry, was also not hurt.

No citations were issued.

Deputy Patrick Reeves investigated the accident.

Minor injury reported in rear-end accident on Pratt Road

By Howard B. Owens

One person was injured in a rear-end car accident on Pratt Road in Batavia on Wednesday.

Treated at the scene was Mark D. Humel, 18, of East Pembroke, for an arm pain complaint.

Humel was cited for allegedly speeding.

The other driver, Lori A. Defazio, 53, of 2636 Pratt Road, Batavia, was uninjured.

Defazio was reportedly driving westbound on Pratt when she slowed to make a left turn. Humel allegedly did not notice her slowing or see her turn signal.

Humel's car struck Defazio's from behind and spun it around 180 degrees.

The accident occurred at 5 p.m. It was investigated by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Truck fire reported at scrap yard in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

East Pembroke Fire is being dispatched to a reported dump trailer fire at Ed Arnold's Scrap Yard on Angling Road in Corfu.

UPDATE 10:17 p.m.: First responder reports metal shaving burning inside of a dump container. Units asked to respond non-emergency.

UPDATE 10:21 p.m.: East Pembroke Fire picking up. "It's just metal shavings. It's not going to go anywhere."


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Bus driver from Kid Rock tour pleads not guilty to DWI charges

By Howard B. Owens

The man accused of driving Kid Rock's tour bus while drunk entered a not guilty plea to three DWI charges during an arraignment this morning in Genesee County Court.

Joseph S. Devlin, 37, St. Augustine, Fla., was arrested July 15 after Sheriff's deputies spotted the bus on Route 77 in Pembroke, they say, operating erratically.

Devlin was employed at the time by a company contracted to provide transportation for Kid Rock and his entourage.

He faces two felony counts of DWI.

Devlin posted the $10,000 bail set in the case immediately.

Previously:


Rollover accident reported on the Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

A car has rolled over on the Thruway in the Pembroke area, but a second called to dispatch reports the driver is getting out of the car.

Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS are being dispatched.

UPDATE 4:16 p.m.: First responder reports that the westbound lane is heavily covered in snow. The dispatcher responded that several calls have come in to report that situation and the Thruway Authority has been notified.

UPDATE 4:27 p.m.: If I'm hearing this right, an ambulance is stuck in the snow and a tow has been requested to pull it out. It's unclear if it's at this location or another.

Police Beat: DWI suspect accused of kicking jail door

By Howard B. Owens

Michael V. Poleo, 26, of 3409 W. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd, DWI, unlawful possession of marijuana and failure to keep right. Poleo was reportedly stopped by Deputy Patrick Reeves on Route 5 in the Town of Batavia following the report of an erratic driver. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly found in possession of marijuana. Allegedly, upon arriving at the Genesee County Jail, Poleo became irate and kicked a holding cell door and cracked the window. The damage is estimated at more than $250.

Brittany L. Ellis, 20, of 15 Bostwic Place, Hornell, is charged with petit larceny. Ellis is accused of shoplifting from Famous Footware on Veteran's Memorial Drive in Batavia.

Zeke A. Gross, 38, 965 Avenue D St., Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 1st and speeding. Gross was reportedly stopped for speeding by Deputy Patrick Reeves on Route 5 in Pembroke. After the stop, it was found that Gross reportedly has 32 suspensions or revocations on his driver's license, including operating without insurance, failure to pay child support, dishonored check, failure to pay fines and failure to answer summons. Gross posted a $350 pre-arraignment bail and was released on an appearance ticket.

Martin F. Jones, 38, no permanent address, is charged with two counts of harassment 2nd. Jones allegedly hit two different women at two different locations. One alleged incident was at 10:30 p.m. Thursday at the other was at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The alleged incidents are not related. Jones was jailed on $750 bail.

Jeffery J. Fisher II, 20, of 4940 Bigford Road, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Fisher is accused of shoplifting alcohol from Tops Market.

A 17-year-old from Bergen was arrested by State Police at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday and charged with harassment 2nd and unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21. No further details were released.

Thruway accident in Pembroke that killed mother of two still under investigation

By Howard B. Owens

Was a truck driver using a laptop computer in his cab prior to striking a disabled vehicle on the Thruway on Dec. 12?

State Police are using computer forensics to try and answer that question.

The driver of the disabled vehicle, Julie I. Stratton, 33, of Snyder, was killed in the accident.

The Buffalo News reports:

State Police want to know why the operator of the tractor-trailer wasn’t able to avoid Stratton’s car, which was disabled in a collision with a deer a few minutes earlier, when several other vehicles were able to swerve around her.

The News also confirms that Stratton placed a call to 911 prior to the truck striking her car.

Police Beat: Le Roy man accused of writing $1K in checks on closed account

By Howard B. Owens

Aaron L. Heale, 28, of 8 School St., south apartment, is charged with grand larceny in the 4th degree and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Heale is accused of purchasing more than $1,000 in merchandise from a local store using checks from a bank account that had been closed for years. The investigation by Le Roy Police Detective John Condidorio began in November 2009. On Dec. 16, Det. Condidorio -- along with members of the Le Roy Police Department, the Genesee County Sheriff's office and the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force -- executed a search warrant on Heale's apartment. Heale was not present at the time. Condidorio reports that during the search, evidence of the alleged grand larceny was found along with drug paraphernalia. Heale was located on Dec. 20 at a residence in the village and arrested. He was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Linda L. Snyder, 27, of 6 Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and endangering the welfare of a child; Paula A. Kingsley, 34, of 8 Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Snyder and Kingsley were allegedly involved in a neighbor dispute at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday. Snyder is also accused of grabbing a 15-year-old girl and fighting with her. Both were jailed on $1,000 bail.

Ralph G. Depema, 33, of 854 Whitier Road, Spencerport, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and unsafe turn. Depema was reportedly stopped by Officer Chris Camp Ellicott Street at 11:35 a.m. on Sunday. After the stop, it was discovered that Depema was driving despite his license reportedly being suspended 16 times. Depema was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Joshua P. Garcia, 26, of 14 Marchall Ave., Akron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation. Deputy Kevin McCarthy responded to a report from the T/A Travel Plaza of a person who reportedly passed out in the dining area and then refused to leave. Upon interviewing Garcia, McCarthy determined that he allegedly drove to the location.

Brian L. Smith, 48, 4128 Colonial Blvd., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment in the 2nd degree. Smith allegedly made repeated contacts via online communication with a woman in Florida after she had repeatedly asked him to stop. Investigator Kristopher Kautz characterized the communications as "harassing and alarming in nature."

Philip Anthony Caccamise, 27, of 65 South St., Le Roy, is charged with harassment. Caccamise allegedly grabbed a friend and threw him to the ground.

Glenn W. Viehdeffer, Jr., 59, of 7628 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely and inadequate/no muffler. Viehdeffer was stopped for an alleged traffic violation by Deputy Jason Saile on South Pearl Street Road in Oakfield at 1:42 a.m. on Saturday.

Eric W. Kubik, 23, of 2160 Phelps Road, Basom, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and driving left of pavement markings. Kubik was stopped by Deputy Howard Carlson on Route 5 in the Town of Le Roy at 2:40 a.m. on Saturday.

John C. Bertini, 51, of 2419 Pratt Road, Corfu, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Bertini was stopped by Deputy Kevin R. McCarthy on Indian Falls Road for an alleged improper headlight at 2:08 a.m. on Sunday.

A 17-year-old from Batavia is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Deputy Kevin McCarthy investigated a car parked partially on the pavement on Gabby Road in Pembroke at 4:54 a.m. on Saturday. He found the youth allegedly in possession of marijuana.

Ricky N. Porter, Jr., 19, of 1 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with assault in the 3rd degree and criminal contempt in the 1st. Porter allegedly violated a court order of protection by pulling the hair of a girlfriend and then hitting her numerous times in the head and face. Porter was jailed without bail.

Joshua G. Bachorski, 26, of 11 Pringle Ave., lower, Batavia, is charged petit larceny. Bachorski allegedly stole a bottle of liquor from Mr. Wine and Liquor.

Amanda M. Elliott, 25, of 18 1/2 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Elliott allegedly shoplifted items from Tops.

Julia R. Sallade, 18, of 9845 Roanoke Road, Pavilion, is charged with petit larceny. Sallade allegedly attempted to steal $368 worth of clothing and jewelry from JCPenney.

Pembroke has a new fire truck

By Howard B. Owens

It's red, shiny and has all the bells and whistles. No, it's not Santa's sled -- it's the new fire truck in the Pembroke Fire District.

The truck arrived at the fire station Dec. 8 and Bruce Ross sent over the picture above along with some information about the tanker.

The total cost: $285,000. But, as Ross said, "The payoff for having access to this life saving truck: absolutely priceless to both the firefighters and community."

The 2009 Peterbuilt has a 3,100 gallon tank capacity along with 60 gallons of on-board in-tank foam.

"The truck has all of the latest state-of-the-art LED emergency lighting, including a large directional arrow on the rear of the truck for use on the roadway, especially helpful on Thruway accident scenes, and a Federal Q2B siren to ensure a clear path for minimum response times to an emergency," Ross said.

The truck's equipment includes six SCBA air packs  for use on interior firefighting efforts, eight extra air bottles, 48 feet in ground ladders, various hand tools used both in interior and exterior firefighting work, hard-suction hose in order to gain access to water out of a standing water source such as a pond, and a 4,000-gallon portable pond used in remote areas.

It replaces a 1978 International Tanker that held a mere 1,800 gallons of water. Ross said the old tanker carried less equipment and was plagued by an increasing number of mechanical issues.

Crews will undergo pump and driver training and the truck is expected to be put in service in January.

Trooper involved in accident on Thruway released from hospital that night

By Howard B. Owens

The State Trooper injured in an auto accident on the Thurway in Pembroke on Saturday has been identified as Nina Johnson.

Johnson, who was taken via Mercy Flight to ECMC, was released from the hospital Saturday evening.

The Trooper was involved in traffic control following a fatal accident on the Thurway just hours prior.

Her patrol vehicle was reportedly struck by an SUV driven by Catherine A. Manahan, 27, of Williamsville.

That accident took the life of Julie I. Stratton, 33, of Synder, whose car became disabled in the fast lane after striking a deer. A tractor-trailer then ran into her car. She was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Buffalo News, state police have yet to decide whether to file charges against the truck driver, Thomas M. Wallace, 45, of Brook Park, Ohio.

“We’re still investigating it to see if there was some distracted driving involved,” Harris said. “We’re looking at why [Wallace] didn’t perceive the vehicle in front of him.”

State police noted that other drivers were able to avoid hitting Stratton’s disabled car in the minutes before the crash.

Stratton was married and had two sons, ages 1 and 3.

Thruway accident takes life of 33-year-old woman from Snyder

By Howard B. Owens

A driver was killed in a late morning accident on the Thruway. She has been identified as Julie Stratton, 33, of Synder.

Stratton was reportedly in the westbound lane when her car struck a deer, causing her car to become disabled in the passing lane. Her car was then hit by a semi-truck.

The truck driver, Thomas M. Wallace, 45, of Brook Park, Ohio, was taken to UMMC by Mercy EMS and treated for minor injuries.

The westbound lane of the Thruway was closed for a 4.5 hours because of the accident, and reportedly a State Trooper at the scene was injured in an accident this afternoon. The State Police have not yet released information on that accident.

Initial Report.

Pedestrian reportedly hit on Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

A pedestrian on the Thruway has apparently been struck by a car.

It's unknown if the injuries are serious. Dispatcher says, "conflicting reports."

The pedestrian may have  been directing traffic in an eastbound lane.

Pembroke and Indian Falls and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 1:57 p.m.: A State Trooper has been struck. No word yet on injuries.

UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: Mercy Flight is being dispatched.

UPDATE 2:07 p.m.: A second ambulance has been requested to treat the driver of the car. Mercy Flight has a five minute ETA.

UPDATE 2:09 p.m.: Mercy Flight now less than two minute ETA.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: Mercy Flight is in the air with patient.

UPDATE 2:31 p.m.: Chatter on the scanner indicating the Trooper had multiple injuries but transported via Mercy Flight primarily as a precaution, and was in a parked patrol car (not a pedestrian) at the time of the accident.

Extrication needed for car-truck accident at Pembroke Thurway exit

By Howard B. Owens

A car and semi-truck have collided on the bridge over the Thruway at the Pembroke exit.

The car is reportedly heavily damaged and  extrication is required.

Indian Falls, Pembroke and East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 11:34 a.m.: There is one injury and it is reported as serious.

UPDATE 11:36 a.m.: East Pembroke's response has been canceled. "On extrication, we're all set," said the Chief responding. Mercy Flight was cancelled.

Truck fire reported on the Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

East Pembroke Fire has been dispatched to a truck fire in the westbound lane of the Thruway.

The initial report was of a brake fire, and later it sounded like the rear of a tractor-trailer was on fire.

Dispatch reports multiple phone calls about the fire.

UPDATE 11:39 p.m.: Fire under control.

UPDATE: 11:57 p.m.: East Pembroke equipment clearing the scene.

Man struck by car while attempting to cross Route 5 in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

A 76-year-old resident of Corfu was struck by a car on Route 5 near Indian Falls Road in Pembroke this evening.

George Wells, of 2077 W. Main Road, Corfu, was transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS. The accident report states he had complaints of pain in his whole body.

According to the report, prepared by Deputy J.M. Graff, Wells was crossing Route 5 and the driver of the car that struck him said he attempted to swerve to avoid hitting Wells. Graff reports there are skid marks in the road consistent with that statement.

The accident occurred at 5:04 p.m.

The driver is identified as Thomas M. Yackeren, 26, of Alexander.

No tickets were issued by Deputy Graff.

Both drivers taken by Mercy Flight following two-car crash in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

Both drivers in a weather-related two-car crash in Pembroke were taken by Mercy Flight to the Erie County Medical Center this morning.

The condition of both drivers is unknown at this time. A spokesman for ECMC said both patients are currently in the emergency room.

One driver apparently lost control of her car, reportedly over corrected and spun about 90 degrees, skidding into the oncoming traffic lane. Her SUV rolled over.

Injured were Jessica Maurer, 22, of 2033 Main Road, Corfu, and Patricia A. Warren, 51, of 748 Gabbey Road, Corfu.

Maurer's Chevy was westbound on Route 5 in the area of Boyce Road. The accident occurred at 7:07 a.m..

Maurer was driving vehicle one, a 2004 Chevrolet SUV and Warren was driving vehicle two, a 2005 Chevrolet SUV.  Maurer received a ticket for allegedly driving too fast under the conditions.

The accident is being investigated by Deputy Brian Thompson.

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