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accident

Driver suffers serious head injuries in early morning crash

By Howard B. Owens

A 20-year-old driver involved in a 4 a.m. one-vehicle accident in Batavia is in very serious condition at Erie County Medical Center, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Eslie J. Worthington, III, 20, was driving a 1998 Dodge Ram pickup westbound on Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road when the truck traveled off the south shoulder and struck a culvert.

Worthington was the only person in the truck. He sustained head injuries and was taken to ECMC by Mercy Flight.

The Sheriff Office reports that the investigation is ongoing, but that "alcohol appears to be a factor." Charges are pending.

The investigation is being conducted by Deputy Jason Saile, with deputies Kevin McCarthy and Frank Bordonaro along with investigator Timothy Weis and Sgt. William Scott of the Crash Management Team.

Woman who had reported stroke while driving on Christmas remains hospitalized

By Howard B. Owens

A woman who possibly had a stroke while driving on Route 77 on Christmas Day remains in critical, but stable condition at Erie County Medical Center.

A spokesman for ECMC said the condition of Jean E. Germonte, 75, of 105 Sawyer Ave., Depew, "remains unchanged."

At 12:20 p.m on Friday, Germonte was reportedly driving her 2006 Chevrolet sedan southbound on Route 77 when callers reported a car fitting that description operating erratically. Deputy Loni Nati found the car on Route 77 allegedly going 10 mph in the northbound lane.

Nati called for State Police to block off the intersection at Route 77 and the Thruway overpass. During the incident, Nati reported Germonte's car slowing to 5 mph. It then reportedly hit a guardrail before driving into a snow bank.

Mercy EMS responded and requested that Mercy Flight be dispatched to the scene. Germonte was then flown to ECMC.

Rollover accident reported on the Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

A car is on its roof on the Thruway following a single-vehicle accident.

Le Roy Fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

No word yet on injuries.

UPDATE 1:44 p.m.: A reader sent in the mobile phone picture. No word as yet on whether there are any injuries and it sounds like Le Roy Fire is back in service.

Police Beat: Accident investigation in Bethany leads to DWI arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Shauna L. McDonough, 39, 504 West Center St., Beech Haven, N.J. is charged with DWI, aggravated driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and unlicensed operation. Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a single-car accident on Route 63 off Fargo Road. The car was reportedly well off the roadway. Sgt. Greg Walker investigated the accident and determined that McDonough was traveling at an unsafe speed and was allegedly driving drunk.

A 17-year-old girl from Batavia has been charged with petit larceny. She allegedly stole from her employer, Kmart.

Tammy J. Alexyn, 34, of 48 Longs Lane, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and driving left of the pavement markings. Alexyn was stopped on Brown Road in the Town of Batavia by Deputy Jason Saile at 1:34 a.m. today.

Kristy L. Sherman, 23, of Bloomfield, has been charged by State Police with harassment. The alleged harassment took place in Le Roy Dec. 18 at 8:31 p.m. No further information available.

Accident reported on Bank Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

An accident with injuries has been reported at Bank Street Road and Batavia-Elba Townline Road.

Mercy EMS and Elba Fire have been dispatched.

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.

Boy sustains head injury after being struck by car on Washington Avenue

By Howard B. Owens

A 13-year-old boy apparently ran out in front of a car near the intersection of Washington and Tracy avenues in Batavia yesterday evening and was hit by the vehicle.

He was taken by Mercy Flight to Children's Hospital in Buffalo with a head injury.

The boy is identified as James N. Difalco, of 41 S. Main St., Batavia.

The accident was reported at 6:38 p.m.

No charges have been filed against the driver, but the investigation is continuing.

UPDATE: Relatives tell WBTA that James is in guarded condition.

No injuries reported in three-vehicle accident on Ellicott Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

Three cars are involved in an accident in the area of 4940 Ellicott Street Road, Town of Batavia.

There are no injuries reported, but Mercy EMS is being dispatched as a precaution.

One car is reportedly smoking.

Town of Batavia Fire is being dispatched.

The accident is in front of the old 84 Lumber, between Cedar Street and Shepard Road.

UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: There is a DWI suspect involved in this accident. One pickup truck is being taken away on a flatbed. Another vehicle involved was an SUV hauling a trailer.  No reports of any injuries.


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Car and snowmobile collide in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

A car and snowmobile have collided at 7958 Townline Road, Bergen.

The dispatcher initially indicated to Mercy EMS that the injuries did not appear to be serious.

The dispatcher also indicates that that they've lost contact with the 911 caller, "who was trying to take off with the female."

UPDATE 12:12 p.m.: A 7-year-old has suffered minor facial injuries.

UPDATE 12:16 p.m.: Townline Road at Route 19 is being closed.

UPDATE: 12:59 p.m.: The road was reopened to traffic at 12:33 p.m.


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Minor injuries reported in head-on collision on Bank Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

A driver reportedly tried making a left hand turn off Bank Street Road onto Batavia-Elba Townline Road yesterday afternoon at 2:54, leading to a head-on collision with another car.

Cited for failure to yield right-of-way was Ryan S. Worthington, 20, of 6918 Ellicott St. Road, Pavilion. Both he and his passenger, Alyssa R. Naylor, 17, were uninjured.

Suffering minor injuries were Aleander M. Dutton, 18, of 7078 Batavia-Byron Road, Byron, and Katelyn D. George, 18.

The accident was investigated by Deputy James Diehl.

Driver allegedly turned into oncoming traffic, causing accident

By Howard B. Owens

A car making a left-hand turn from Route 5 into Valu Plaza allegedly caused an accident this morning that sent one person to the hospital.

Transported to UMMC was Charles Williams, 61, of 2641 Centerline Road, Varysburg. Williams reportedly suffered injuries to his arm.

A passenger in his car, Jane Williams, no age given, is listed in the Sheriff's Office report as in shock, but was not transported to a hospital.

The driver who reportedly turned into oncoming traffic is Theodore Kedzierski, 63, of 76 Maple Ave., Oakfield.

Kedzierski was driving a 2000 Ford pickup truck. Williams was driving a 2005 Chevy pickup.

Kedzierski was issued a citation for alleged improper turn.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Brian Thompson.

Initial Report from this morning.

Parked car struck after driver reportedly falls asleep

By Howard B. Owens

An Alabama man suffered minor injuries after allegedly falling asleep at the wheel and striking a parked car on Thursday.

The 5:15 p.m. accident occurred as Brandon W. Benben was reportedly driving northbound on Route 77 in the area of Sumner Road.

Benben's 2000 Toyota sedan reportedly drifted off the left side of the road, struck a utility pole and a garage before hitting the parked car.

Benben did not require transportation to a hospital. He reportedly suffered minor cuts to his arms.

Deputy Patrick Reeves handled the accident investigation and cited Benben for allegedly crossing a no-passing lane with double yellow markers.

Accident in front McDonald's, Route 5, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

An accident on Route 5 in front of McDonald's in Batavia has just been reported.

Injuries have been reported.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS are being dispatched.

UPDATE 9:03 p.m.: Minor injuries. One car blocking.

UPDATE 9:43 p.m.: Cars have been towed. Road is back open.

Car accident in Basom with injuries

By Howard B. Owens

An accident with injuries has been reported in Basom in front of the post office.

Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 5:13 p.m.: First responder: One car, one truck; everybody is out of the vehicles, but have ambulance continue in emergency mode.


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Car-into-pole accident with injuries in Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A car-into-pole accident with minor injuries is reported at 11345 Transit Road in Pavilion, near the Wyoming County line, east of Dublin Road.

The victim is inside the residence there awaiting emergency responders. There were three occupants in the car.

Motor vehicle accident in Stafford

By Billie Owens

Emergency crews are handling a two-car accident with injuries at 6212 Route 5 (Main Street) in Stafford, just east of Transit Road.

Car rolls over on Route 5

By Howard B. Owens

There's a vehicle-rollover accident in the westbound lane of Route 5 in Le Roy.

UPDATE 8:42 p.m.: First responder reports that the road is "solid ice" and that the car went over the guardrail. The good news is, "everyone is out of the vehicle."

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: Mercy EMS medic reports, "It's solid black ice out there." He's taking all of the patients to the toll booth.

UPDATE 8:53 p.m.: With the patients safely out of the area, Le Roy Fire is leaving the scene and back in service. "There's too much danger here."

Pizza delivery driver reportedly hits snow plow and keeps going

By Howard B. Owens

A pizza delivery driver is apparently in trouble.

A snow-plow operator reports driving along a local roadway (sorry, missed the street name) when a car with a pizza ad on it spun out and hit the snow plow. The driver then reportedly drove away (which, if true, would violate section 600.1 of the New York Vehicle Code: Leaving the scene of a property-damage accident).

The snow plow wasn't damaged, but of course its driver is required to report the incident.

And: Just as I finish writing the above, Batavia Police report identifying the vehicle.

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