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Young man from Bergen killed in motorcycle accident in Le Roy, passenger seriously injured

By Howard B. Owens

A 19-year-old resident of Bergen died today, and his 19-year-old friend was seriously injured when the motorcycle they were on slammed into a seden at the intersection of West Bergen Road and Selden Road, Le Roy.

Derek K. Sheldon was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ashley M. Stillwell was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital where she is listed in critical condition.

Sheldon was driving his 2005 Suzuki motorcycle north on West Bergen Road when a 2011 Chevorlet Cruze apparently made a left turn onto Selden Road from West Bergen Road.

The motorcycle hit the car on the passenger side and both Sheldon and Stillwell were ejected from the motor bike.

State Police said both Sheldon and Stillwell sustained multiple injuries.

The driver of the Cruze is identified as Marilyn A. Brassie, 50, of Bergen. She was uninjured but clearly distraught following the accident.

No further details about the crash have been released, which remains under investigation. No charges have been filed pending completion of the investigation.

Sheldon's Facebook page quickly filled with messages from grieving friends this afternoon. According to the page, Sheldon worked for MY T Acres and Triple P Farms.

The NYSP Collision Reconstruction Team responded to the accident.

The Sheriff's Office, Le Roy Fire andLe Roy Ambulance assisted at the scene.

Car strikes motorcycle and its two riders, one of them is unconscious and in 'rough shape'

By Billie Owens

A car struck a motorcycle with two riders on it at Selden and West Bergen roads. One of them "is in pretty rough shape," is unconscious and has serious injuries. Le Roy fire and ambulance is responding along with Mercy medics.

Mercy Flight from Batavia is called and has a seven- five minute ETA, plus they are prepping another helicopter in Buffalo in case it's needed.

UPDATE 12:13 p.m.: The driver of the vehicle is also injured. The Buffalo helicopter is also requested to the scene. It has an 18-minute ETA.

UPDATE 12:19 p.m.: The second helicopter from Buffalo is cancelled.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: Selden Road is being shut down.

UPDATE 12:23 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed west of the scene in a grass field by a brown house.

UPDATE 12:29 p.m.: There is one fatality. Another patient is being prepped for transport to a hospital by Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 12:33 p.m.: An engine from Stafford is requested to stand by in Le Roy's fire hall.

UPDATE 3:37 p.m.: State Police called to inform us that family notifications have been made, but no further information will be released for at least a couple of hours.

UPDATE 4:12 p.m.: Le Roy and Stafford are back in service.

UPDATE: For people coming directly to this story from Facebook, the updated story is here.

Young ATV rider in critical condition following accident in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

A 16-year-old Pembroke resident is in critical condition this morning at Erie County Medical Center following an ATV accident in the Village of Corfu last night.

Benjamin L. Falker was riding a 2012 Polaris Sportsman 500 on West Main Street when he attempted to enter the sidewalk south of Prospect Street. He lost control and struck a row of bushes and the four-wheeler flipped over and he was ejected. 

The ATV struck a utility pole and came to rest in an upright position. 

Benjamin, the sole occupant of the ATV, sustained a head injury and was transported to ECMC by Mercy Flight.

The investigation is continuing and charges may be pending.

Investigating the accident are Deputy Jason Saile, Sgt. William Scott of the Crash Management Team, Investigator Timothy Weis, Sgt. Brian Frieday and Officer Rich Retzlaf of the Corfu PD.

Assisting at the scene was the Corfu Fire Department and Mercy EMS.

(Initial Report)

ATV accident reported in the Village of Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

A four-wheeler has hit a utility pole in the area of 29 W. Main St., Corfu, near the corner of Prospect Street.

A person is injured. Mercy Flight requested to the scene. A landing scene will be set up at the Corfu Fire Hall.

UPDATE 11:20 p.m.: The patient is seriously injured.

UPDATE 11:24 p.m.: The landing zone is being switched to the area behind the primary school.

UPDATE 11:30 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

UPDATE Midnight: Patient transported to ECMC.

ATV rider remains hospitalized after spending eight hours in ditch with broken legs

By Howard B. Owens

An ATV rider with two broken legs who spent at least eight hours lying in a ditch by the side of Meadville Road, Basom, before being found by another person remains hospitalized.

Arlyn L. Jonathan, 34, of Shanks Road, Alabama, was reportedly driving an ATV on Meadeville Road at 1 a.m., Thursday, when he lost control and went off the roadway.

As the ATV flipped over, Jonathan was ejected and struck a tree. His ATV struck another tree.

He apparently had no means of communication and wasn't found until about 8 a.m.

Alabama Fire Department respond to the scene and Jonathan was transported to ECMC by Mercy Flight.

A hospital staff member said Jonathan remains hospitalized but his condition is not listed on his records.

Deputy Lonnie Nati investigated the accident and reported the cause as "unsafe speed." He did not report any citations being issued.

Vehicle rolls over multiple times on eastbound Thruway

By Billie Owens

A vehicle reportedly rolled over multiple times on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 388. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Mercy Flight is put on standby.

UPDATE 12:47 p.m.: The chief said everyone's out of the vehicle, which went off the right shoulder, and they are being treated by medics on scene. The assignment is held to Engine #24. The Thruway accident is not far from the college.

UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: The town is back in service.

Two cars and big rig collide near Route 63 and Starr Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in the area of Route 63 and Starr Road. Pavilion fire, law enforcement and two Mercy rigs are responding. The crash involves two cars and a tractor-trailer. Mercy Flight #5 in Batavia is said to be available.

UPDATE 5:24 p.m.: A responder on scene says there's no entrapment and there are two patients, one is walking around and another complains of neck and back pain. One vehicle is blocking traffic and another is off the roadway.

UPDATE 5:26 p.m.: They are going to shut down traffic on Starr Road and reroute traffic on 63 to Roanoke Road.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: A heavy wrecker is called to handle the disabled tractor-trailer, which is carrying a full load and weighs 38,000 pounds.

UPDATE 5:57 p.m.: A 23-year-old male is being transported to UMMC, complaining of neck, shoulder and collarbone pain.

UPDATE 6:43 p.m.: The roads are reopened and the Pavilion assignment is back in service.

Possible broken leg reported in accident on Meadville Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

Alabama Fire Department is responding to a motor-vehicle accident on Meadville Road where the driver reportedly has a broken leg and says his vehicle has been stuck in a ditch for eight hours.

Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia requested to the scene.

14-year-old with head injury requires Mercy Flight to hospital

By Billie Owens

A 14-year-old boy with a head injury will require Mercy Flight transportation to a hospital. He's a rider at the Area 51 motocross track in East Pembroke, located at 3500 Harloff Road.

The Batavia helicopter is responding, along with Mercy Medics and East Pembroke Fire Department.

He's believed to be in the "far left area" of the facility.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

Car crash at Route 77 and Ledge Road, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at Route 77 and Ledge Road. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. A person is believed to have a fractured leg and is not able to get out of the vehicle. It is blocking traffic.

UPDATE 1:14 p.m.: Another ambulance is requested along with aid from Pembroke and Indian Falls fire. There are two additional patients, one with a head injury, and the other with a spine and neck injury.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia is called to the scene.

UPDATE 1:19 p.m.: The landing zone will be an adjacent strawberry field.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: The helicopter landed a couple of minutes ago.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, bound for Strong Memorial Hospital. A Mercy medic ambulance is taking one patient to Unity Hospital in Rochester, formerly named Park Ridge Hospital.

 

Motorcycle wreck on Lake Street, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A motorcycle wreck is reported at 58 Lake St. in Le Roy. The rider has a broken ankle, according to a responder on scene. An ambulance from Caledonia is requested. The roadway is not blocked. Le Roy fire is responding.

UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: Le Roy fire is told to hold all equipment in quarters.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: Caledonia is being cancelled. The injured person will be transported to a hospital by personal vehicle.

UPDATE 1 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is in service.

Car strikes bicyclist at West Main and Holland in the city

By Billie Owens

A car struck a bicyclist at West Main Street and Holland Avenue in Batavia. City police and Mercy medics are responding along with city fire.

UPDATE 5:21 p.m.: A female is being taken to UMMC with some cuts and abrasions on her feet and shins.

Truck hits pole, partially closing Bethany Center Road

By Howard B. Owens

A tractor-trailer attempting a U-turn on Bethany Center Road in Bethany Center hit a utility pole, snapping the pole.

Power lines and telephone lines are down.

One lane of Bethany Center is closed.

National Grid and Bethany fire requested to the scene.

Friends in WNY spur Twitter trend #RondoForCMstrong to honor accident victim

By Timothy Walton

If you have been on twitter lately, chances are you have seen the abundance of tweets using the hashtag #RondoForCMstrong (RajonRondo for Cal-Mum Strong). The tweet, started in Cal-Mum to honor one of the recent victims of the tragic car accident, that killed three young adults and injured two others is trending in the Buffalo and Rochester area. 

Emily Peterson, 17, passed away yesterday at Strong Memorial and was the third victim of the crash. Peterson along with the other accident victims were returning home after volunteering for a summer school program at BOCES in Batavia.

Her friends and family took to twitter in an attempt to get her favorite athlete, Rajon Rondo, of the Boston Celtics, to tweet for her. Many have also reached out to ESPN, NBA and other athletes to help get the tweet trending nationwide.

To the friends and family it means alot, a friend said.

"We all thought that it could never happen and never would have but its just taken off to something so unbelievable." said Seth Meyers, a friend of Emily. "Rondo was Emily's favorite player. I can't even explain how many times she talked about him and supported him."

Since the tweets began, Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo, has not only seen the tweet, but dedicated a tweet to it as well. Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson, MTV and VH1 reality star Dustin Zito and many other residents and businesses throughout WNY have also joined in the trend.

Possible pickup truck accident in Bergen

By Billie Owens

A possible pickup truck accident is reported on Route 33 near Maple Avenue in Bergen. A truck is reportedly in the woods and "people are out wandering around." Law enforcement is en route.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: An officer in the area reports finding nothing. Dispatch says the location is east of West Bergen Road.

Car wreck at Macomber and Town Line roads

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Macomber and Town Line roads. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: Neck and head injuries are reported.

UPDATE 1:02 p.m.: Two vehicles involved, both requiring flatbed tows. The accident is blocking traffic.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: A female is being transported to UMMC with head and neck pain. She was riding in the middle of the cab of a pickup truck and struck her head on the rear window when the accident occurred.

UPDATE: Photos submitted by Melissa Sumeriski.

Car crashes into tree near a house at South Spruce and Main streets in the city

By Billie Owens

A one-car accident is reported at South Spruce and Main streets in the city of Batavia. The vehicle struck a tree and is within 15 feet of a residence. City firefighters are responding along with Mercy medics. Batavia PD are on scene to help with traffic control.

UPDATE 11:20 p.m. (by Howard): Police say the driver of the car was eastbound on East Main Street when for an unknown reason, her car left the roadway and struck the curb and then drove across the front lawn of 534 E. Main St., and through the side yard on the east side of the house. The car went through the back yard and then turned northbound in the side yard on the South Spruce-side of the house. It then struck a tree and caught on fire. Both occupants were out of the car when police arrived. The driver was transported to UMMC with complaints of neck and back pain. The male passenger was unhurt. Nobody else was hurt. Police say the investigation is continuing and it's unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor.

Top photo: Sparks and water fly as city firefighters use a radial saw to cut the hood off the car.  Second photo: Firefighters inspect the engine compartment after removing the hood. Third photo: A bike with a bent front tire that police said was ejected from the trunk of the car when the car struck the tree.

Accident with injuries on Lockport Road, near Fisher Road

By Billie Owens

A car struck a pole then careened into a field at 3684 Lockport Road, near Fisher Road. Injuries are reported. Oakfield fire is responding, along with medics and a Sheriff's deputy.

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: An 18-year-old male is being transported to UMMC and complains of right hand pain.

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