Thursday, December 31, 2009

NY police officer, 5 others hurt by fleeing driver in Rochester

Via MattarMedia ROCHESTER - A man is in custody after authorities say he led police on a chase during which a Rochester police officer and five other people were injured in two separate crashes.

Rochester police say the officer was following a suspicious vehicle around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when the driver speed off, reaching speeds of up 100 mph.

The officer crashed with another car on a bridge. Police say the car he was following then caused a second crash with another vehicle.

Police say the officer was treated at a hospital for a minor head injury and released. Officials say five other people suffered minor injuries in the two crashes.

The suspect's name hasn't been released.

New Year’s DWI crackdown

Via MattarMedia - It’s only Wednesday and we're already into a DWI crackdown weekend, all because of the New Year's holiday.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Department is joining forces with state police and other agencies to stop drinking and driving.

The plan is to have saturation patrols out on the roads, sobriety checkpoints and also bar sweeps looking for underage drinkers right through the weekend.

The Sheriff's Department says this is just one way to prevent needless deaths and tragedies.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Wheatland crash: woman recovering, car totaled

Via MattarMedia - A woman is recovering this noon hour after a scary crash in Wheatland. It happened around 8:30 this morning on Scottsville-Mumford Road.

Police tell us the woman lost control of her car- veered off an embankment and hit a tree. Her car was totaled.

The victim was taken to highland hospital and she is expected to be okay.

No word on what caused her to lose control.

New Year's DWI Crackdown


MattarMedia via WHEC - It’s only Wednesday and we're already into a DWI crackdown weekend, all because of the New Year's holiday.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Department is joining forces with state police and other agencies to stop drinking and driving.

The plan is to have saturation patrols out on the roads, sobriety checkpoints and also bar sweeps looking for underage drinkers right through the weekend.

The Sheriff's Department says this is just one way to prevent needless deaths and tragedies.

Give the Greatest Gift - A Safe Ride Home. For more information, CLICK HERE

Area hopes new traffic lights will cutdown number of crashes

Via MattarMedia Town of Onondaga – Drivers who use a busy intersection in the town of Onondaga will need to allow a few extra minutes to get where they need to go. Two new traffic signals were turned on Wednesday.

After finding a high number of accidents at the intersection of Bellevue Avenue and Onondaga Boulevard, engineers recommended a traffic light.

The new signals, located just a short distance from Westhill High School, were scheduled to be turned on at 10am.

The intersection, which had previously only had stop signs controlling traffic, was changed approximately two weeks ago to a flashing red and yellow signal, was switched into a full traffic signal Wednesday.

An Onondaga County traffic study found there were seven accidents at the intersection over the past three years which was enough to satisfy the requirements to install a three color signal to provide greater safety benefits.

Engineers say the change will take drivers some time to get used to, and say it’s a good time since school is not in session.

There are boards around the area letting drivers know about the change.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Alleged drunk driver crashes into Outback parking lot

Via MattarMedia DeWitt - Police say an East Syracuse man was drunk when he drove off a six foot cliff and landed in the Outback Steakhouse parking lot in DeWitt.

DeWitt police say Jeffrey Inman of East Syracuse thought he could make his way out of the Colonial Laundromat parking lot off of Erie Boulevard by driving behind the building.

Instead, the car went off a cliff and ended up flipping over in the Outback Steakhouse parking lot.

Inman and his passenger tried to run from the scene - but police caught up with them. Inman is behind bars on DWI charges.

Ontario County accident sends 2 women to hospital

Via MattarMedia - Ontario County Sheriffs are saying speeding and snowy roads may have caused a two-car accident that has sent two women to the hospital. It happened around 11:15 p.m. on Monday.

Sophia Lutzen, of Clifton Springs, lost control of her car on Route 96 in Phelps. She spun into the left lane and hit a car driven by Betty Steele of Waterloo.

Lutzen was taken to Strong Memorial hospital and is listed in stable condition. Steel was taken to Clifton Springs Hospital with broken ankle.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Female injured in Herkimer County snowmobile accident

Via MattarMedia STRATFORD, N.Y. (WKTV) - A woman riding a snowmobile was severely injured Sunday night just over the Herkimer County line, in the Town of Stratford.

A helicopter from Fulton County was called in to transport her to a hospital, but the Fulton County Sheriff's Department would not give any other information as to how the accident happened or the woman's condition.

Black ice causes many accidents

Via MattarMedia Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Road conditions were dangerous Sunday morning in Central New York due to patches of black ice, especially in the shade and on overpasses or bridges.

In one accident on East Taylor Street near the Syracuse Community Health Center a woman driving a Chevy Blazer lost control and skidded into a wall around 11:30. Police say the SUV likely hit a patch of ice that hadn’t melted because it was in the shade. The driver is reported to be okay.

NewsChannel 9’s Storm Team Meteorologist Dave Longley predicted the black ice in his morning forecast, and also that it would cease to be a serious problem Sunday afternoon.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Thruway toll-takers will hand out anti-DWI red ribbons today

Via MattarMedia ALBANY - Toll takers on the state Thruway will be handing out red ribbons starting this afternoon as part of a month-long stop-DWI campaign sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael Fleischer says state troopers will be out in full force to keep a close watch for intoxicated drivers.

About 48,000 ribbons will be distributed at the tollbooths at Harriman, Newburgh, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo.

Fleischer says drivers should keep in mind that they'll face stiffer penalties if they're caught driving drunk with a child in the car. Under the new "Leandra's Law," a person who drives drunk with a child passenger would be charged with a class E felony and face up to four years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

Man injured when snowmobile flips over

Via MattarMedia WEST TURIN, N.Y. (WKTV) - The Lewis County Sheriff's Office is investigating a snowmobile accident in the town of West Turin.

According to deputies, Michael Soule, 51, from Stone Ridge lost control of his snowmobile on a hill crest. The sled then flipped over.

Soule was rushed to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. He is said to be in good condition this morning.

Authorities say charges are pending.

Truck crashes into Fallsview Casino

Via MattarMedia NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - A police chase across the border ended when a pickup truck crashed into Fallsview Casino.

Imagine being on the gaming floor, when suddenly a car crashes into the casino.

That's what happened at about 2 a.m. Tuesday. Niagara Regional Police say a pickup truck, driven by 51-year-old Harold Howard, crashed through the front entrance of the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

There was shattered glass and debris, but luckily no patrons were injured.

Authorities say Howard had used a weapon to assault two people in the Falls and then struck a vehicle in the driveway of another home.

Police attempted to stop him but he kept driving and, according to authorities, intentionally drove into the Fallsview Casino.

Harold Howard, who lives in Niagara Falls, is being charged with many crimes, including attempted murder.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Police respond to hit and run crash

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N .Y. (WIVB) - Around 2 a.m. Tuesday, Buffalo Police responded to a hit and run crash.

Police say a driver collided with another vehicle on East Avenue near Hertel Avenue, then hit a gas line outside a building.

The first driver then took off.

No one was hurt.

National Fuel was called to turn off the gas line.

Shooting victim found at crash scene

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo Police who were responding to an accident, found a shooting victim.

Police are telling News 4 it appears to be an attempted suicide.

Buffalo Police responded to an accident at the on ramp for the 33 eastbound, on Best Street, around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

When officers approached the car that had struck a guard rail, they found a woman inside who was shot.

The woman is recovering from her injuries at ECMC.

It's believed that a gun was recovered from inside the car, but at this point it's not clear if the shooting took place inside the car or at another location.

The victim's name and condition have not been released.

Head-on Crash Sends Four People To Hospitals

Via MattarMedia - The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department is investigating a head-on crash that sent four people to the hospital.

It happened just before 7:30 p.m. Sunday on State Route 58 in the town of Gouverneur.

Officials said 23 year old Katherine Straw of Gouverneur and 17 year old Crystal Tully of Hammond were flown to University Hospital in Syracuse for treatment for leg injuries.

They were in serious condition as of Monday afternoon.

Also injured were 27 year old Samuel Caldwell and 38 year old Ted Norton who are both from Gouverneur.

They were taken to E.J. Noble Hospital in Gouverneur for treatment of arm and leg injuries.

Officials said Tully's pickup truck slammed head-on into Straw's car.

Deputies said charges are pending further investigation.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Collision involves police car

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - News 4 is trying to learn more about a two car crash involving a Buffalo Police patrol car.

It happened around midnight near the intersection of Main and Humboldt.

Both the police cruiser and another car suffered serious front end damage.

There's no word if anyone was injured or what caused the crash.

Sheriff uses Santa to discourage DWIs

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Erie County Sheriff has recruited a deputy in a red suit to discourage drivers from drinking before taking the wheel.

Sheriff Tim Howard revealed a billboard that reads, "Santa is coming to town -- Please Don't Hit Him -- Don't Drink and Drive."

The sheriff wants to encourage people who have been drinking to let someone else "take the reins."

"Driving while intoxicated, the results that could follow, tear lives apart, and irreversible and you could spend the rest of your life, regretting that," said Sgt. Scott Joslyn of the Erie County Sheriff's Office.

And don't forget: Liberty and Yellow Cab of Buffalo will offer free rides this New Year's Eve.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Woman and Two Dogs Somehow Survive Accident

Via MattarMedia - A woman and her two dogs somehow managed to escape serious injury when her car was broadsided by a tractor trailer yesterday evening at the intersection of Pleasant Road and Route 20 in the Town of Hamburg.

Hamburg police are investigating the accident. No word at this time on how the accident happened.

Two injured in Seneca Turnpike three-car crash

Via MattarMedia NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (WKTV) - A Utica man was hospitalized Wednesday afternoon with neck pains after a three-car collision in New Hartford.

The accident happened in front of the Burger King on Seneca Turnpike.

Amina Purak, 20, Rochester, was heading East on Seneca Turnpike and failed to notice traffic stopped ahead of her. This caused her vehicle to hit the back of Earnest F Cavalier's car. The force of the impact then caused Cavalier, 63, Utica and his vehicle to be pushed into a car driven by Angela Fistick, 27, Sauquoit.

Cavalier and Fistick complained about neck pain. Cavalier was transported to Faxton/St.Luke's Healthcare.

Cavalier's and Purak's vehicles were towed away, both with extensive damage.

Amina Purak was issued a traffic ticket for following too closely and is scheduled in New Hartford Town Court at a later date.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Serious crash sends two people to ECMC

Via MattarMedia LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) - Two people are being treated at ECMC Wednesday morning, after a serious crash in Niagara County.

Sheriff's Deputies say a vehicle rolled over into a ditch at Lockport and Comstock Roads, in the Town of Pendleton at about 7:30 Tuesday night.

Investigators say the driver got out of the car, but a passenger was trapped in the vehicle which was partially submerged in water, until rescue crews arrived.

The victims' names and conditions have not been released.

The intersection which was shut down for several hours, has since reopened.

Amish Buggy-Car Accident in Depeyster

Via MattarMedia - Ogdensburg State Police investigated a car/buggy personal accident on East Road in Depeyster on Monday, December 14, around 5:41 PM.

Joel M. Keen, 34, of Gouverneur, was eastbound on East Road, when Menno J. Hostetler, 22, of Depeyster, operating a buggy, was sideswiped by Keen.

Hostetler sustained a laceration to his forehead and was transported by Ogdensburg rescue to Claxton Hepburn Hospital where he was treated and released.

No tickets were issued.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Tougher state DWI laws take effect Friday

Via MattarMedia ALBANY — Tougher laws on drunken drivers who have a child in the car take effect Friday.

The new law, known as Leandra's Law, makes it a felony to drive with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08 and have a passenger in the car younger than 16. A first offense carries a potential prison sentence of up to four years; up to 15 years if a child passenger is seriously injured; and up to 25 years if a child is killed.

The law was adopted by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. David Paterson last month after Leandra Rosado, 11, died in a drunken-driving accident in October in New York City.

The law also requires drivers charged with drunken driving with a child in the car to surrender their licenses pending prosecution. And if convicted, an ignition-interlock system must be installed in the car for at least six months. On Aug. 15, the law will expand to require the system for any driver convicted of misdemeanor or felony DWI.

The interlock system costs about $100 to install and $3 a day to operate. The offender will be required to pay for it.

In 2008, there were 9,202 alcohol-related crashes in New York, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. In those crashes, 488 children under the age of 18 were injured or killed.

Four people hurt in Fayetteville crash

Via MattarMedia Fayetteville (WSYR-TV) - Four people were taken to the hospital Monday morning after a two-car crash along North Burdick Street near Taylor Road in Fayetteville.

Manlius police say the driver of the car that ended up in the brush off the road was making a left hand turn, when she was hit by the second car.

We’re told that none of the injuries are serious.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Drivers should prepare for conditions

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - With tricky driving conditions it's important for people to be prepared before hitting the road.

In this case we're not talking about the things you should have in your car. Instead, we've spoken to the experts about the things drivers should and should not do on the road.

In just three days the New York State Thruway in parts of western New York was the scene of several disasters. A winter storm on Thursday and Friday brought traffic to a standstill.

We all know drivers can't control the weather, but a spokesperson for the New York State Thruway Authority says people can control the way they drive.

"You have to be very careful of the distance. You know drive safely, but allow more distance between your vehicle and others," said spokesperson Donna Luh.

Had one driver done that on Saturday, there's a good chance a State Police Trooper would not have been rear ended in the eastbound lane between the Batavia and Pembroke Exits.

"She was rear ended by a vehicle that did not stop in time," said Sgt. Gregory Peron.

Keeping enough distance between cars is even more important when it rains and snows.

Luh explained, "The speed limits are posted for ideal driving conditions, but people have to remember during these weather conditions it's necessary to slow down."

The cause of this fatal crash in the Town of Pembroke remains under investigation, but 33-year-old Julie Stratton survived hitting a deer only to get hit by a tractor trailer minutes later.

Her vehicle became disabled in the westbound lane but State Police tell us other vehicles were able to avoid her before the truck driver slammed into her.

"If we have to speak louder and get our message out more we will do that," said Luh.

Experts say crashes are still bound to happen.

"We have a lot of car/deer accidents and we have a lot of minor fender bender accidents. When it's possible and if you're able to, safely move your vehicle off the road," said Sgt. Peron.

What if you can't move your vehicle? Should you stay in it?

State Police say it depends.

Sgt. Peron said, "Where they are, what the visibility is, what the weather's like."

Serious accident in East Bloomfield

Via MattarMedia - A serious accident on Route 5 and 20 in East Bloomfield has left one man in the hospital.

Richard Testa of East Bloomfield is in guarded condition tonight at Strong Hospital.

Ontario County Sheriff's Officials say he rear-ended a car that was stopped to make a left-hand turn.

The teens in that car are ok.

Testa was taken by mercy flight to strong with a broken sternum.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Train hits car in Dunkirk

Via MattarMedia DUNKIRK, N.Y. (WIVB) - A car has been hit by a train in Dunkirk.

It happened Friday morning, on the tracks on Lucas Avenue.

It's believed the car was stuck on the tracks, but everyone got out safely.

Investigation complete in train versus plow accident

Via MattarMedia GANSEVOORT, N.Y. - Members of the Gansevoort Highway Department said Jim Shea was a dedicated and hard working man who also helped out the fire department. They said he spent so much time helping others that many will feel his loss.

"It's hard," said Gansevoort Highway Superintendent Neil Petteys, who worked with Jim Shea for the last ten years.

He choked back tears while thinking about Shea who died in a collision between the plow truck he was in and a freight train Wednesday morning.

Petteys said, "The equipment can be replaced, but the personnel..."

Police said the snow plow crossed the tracks on Saunders Road to clear snow but got stuck and lost traction. They said the driver tried to go up an incline but slid down into the oncoming train.

"It's an unfortunate accident. If it was a guarded crossing, could it have been prevented? Absolutely," said Lt. Bill Seibert of the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department.

Police also said the side wings of the plow were up which could have limited their vision.

Meanwhile, Petteys said he knows the police investigation is finished but just can't accept what happened.

"They are going to do their job, that's what they are there for and I've got to continue with the help of my men, to do our jobs," he said.

No one from the police department or the railroad company knew who would be responsible for putting a crossing at the intersection. It's actually a dead end with just two houses on the other side.

A spokesman for Canadian Pacific Railroad said they have no plans to install a signal but are always open to talking about safety.

The spokesman for the railroad company said there's no given rule when it comes to putting a signal at the private crossing like that. He said one formula they use is multiply the number of cars that cross the tracks by the number of trains that travel it, to figure out if it's eligible for a crossing.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Suit: Taconic wrong-way crash victims suffered terror, pain

Via MattarMedia WHITE PLAINS - Relatives of two victims of the wrong-way crash that killed eight people on a New York highway are claiming their loved ones suffered terror and pain before they died.

A lawsuit to be filed Thursday targets the estate of Diane Schuler, who was driving the minivan that slammed into an SUV carrying Michael and Guy Bastardi on July 26.

Schuler, her daughter, three nieces and another man in the Bastardis' vehicle also were killed.

The lawsuit echoes the findings of a criminal investigation that concluded Schuler was drunk, high on marijuana, and driving the wrong way on the Taconic Parkway.

A copy of the lawsuit was obtained by The Associated Press.

It claims the Bastardis suffered "pre-impact terror" and mental anguish, as well as pain from serious injuries.

Bus Rollover On NYS Thruway

Via MattarMedia Clarence, NY (WKBW) - Several people are hurt, some seriously, after a bus flips on its side on the New York State Thruway.

This rollover accident happened on the 90 West near Clarence, NY. 15 people were on the "Mega Bus" when it flipped. It is not clear where the bus was headed or coming from at this time.

The Eyewitness News photographer on the scene saw at least one person taken by stretcher to an ambulance. Others were taken to firetrucks that arrived on the scene to be checked out and kept out of the cold.

A triage was set up with the County coordinator on the scene. Eyewitness News will be following this story throughout the morning.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Camillus Police search for hit and run driver

Via MattarMedia Camillus (WSYR-TV) - The Camillus Police Department is on the lookout for a driver involved in a hit and run accident.

The accident happened on West Genesee Street at Hinsdale road Tuesday afternoon, near the Walgreen’s drug store.

Police said a 16-year-old girl was crossing West Genesee at around 2:15pm when she was hit by a car. The car then took off and headed west.

Witnesses described the car as dark colored and possibly green.

The girl did have head and leg injuries, but she is expected to be okay.

Anyone who may have information that can help police track down that driver should call police at 487-0102.

15-year old driver pursued by police

Via MattarMedia DeWitt (WSYR-TV) - A 15-year old driver and a 14-year old passenger in a stolen vehicle led State Police on a pursuit on Interstate 481 in the Town of DeWitt Monday.

State Police say the pursuit began when they tried to stop the 2008 Ford Focus for speeding. The pursuit ended when the driver complied and pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder of the roadway. Both the driver and passenger were taken into custody and issued Family Court appearance tickets.

The 15-year old driver had stolen the vehicle from his grandmother’s home in Lysander. He is charged with Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Property, and Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer.

The 14-year old passenger was charged with Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Police say speed likely contributed to Sullivan County crash

Via MattarMedia SULLIVAN COUNTY, N.Y. - Police say excessive speed likely played a role in a car accident that killed four men and left two others in critical condition Saturday.

A police spokesman says a car was traveling on a rural road in Sullivan County when it failed to make a turn, sideswiped another car and hit a tree. The spokesman says the car split in half upon impact.

The two survivors were in critical condition Sunday afternoon at Westchester Medical Center, but their updated conditions are not known.

"Just slow down" warn police after several accidents involving a total of nine vehicles

Via MattarMedia UTICA - Utica fire and police officials responded to multiple accidents on the Route 12 South ramp from Route 790 at about 2:55 p.m. Monday.

"There appears to be several two and three car accidents, at this time, totaling to at least nine cars involved, but separate accidents," said Utica police sergeant Michael D'Ambro while on the scene.

There were no serious injuries or serious damages to the vehicles. He said the ramp will be salted and advises motorists to drive carefully in snowy conditions.

"Just slow down," he said. "Some spots on the bridge, they can ice up pretty quick."

Crash leads to arrests of bank robbery suspects

Via MattarMedia ALBANY, N.Y. - A car crash over the weekend leads police to the two suspects wanted in the robbery of a Key Bank last week on Colvin Avenue in Albany.

Police arrested John Waring, 35, Saturday morning after he was involved in a car crash. The responding officer said he recognized the car as the one involved in last Tuesday's robbery.

Waring later admitted that he robbed the bank. He then told police David Maker, 31, was the getaway driver. Maker was arrested in his South Lake Avenue apartment hours later, along with two other men who police said were involved in a drug deal.

Both Maker and Waring were arraigned in Albany City Criminal Court on second-degree robbery charges Sunday morning.

Monday, December 7, 2009

2 taken to hospital after serious car crash in Penfield

Via MattarMedia - Monroe County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a serious car crash in Penfield.

Crews responded Sunday morning to Empire Boulevard near the southern tip of Irondequoit Bay.

Investigators say Nicholas Kerbs was driving the car and t-boned a pickup truck pulling out of a business. There are reports Kerbs was speeding.

Kerbs was not wearing his seatbelt and is listed in guarded condition at Rochester General Hospital. The driver of the pickup truck was also taken to RGH. We're still waiting on his name and condition.

Weezer tour bus crashes off Thruway

Via MattarMedia GLEN, N.Y. -- Fans of Alternative rock band "Weezer" may have to wait to hear the band play. The band was involved in an accident early Sunday morning on the State Thruway.

Police say one of the band's five tour buses slid off the highway went over a guardrail and landed on a ditch. The bus was traveling from Toronto and headed to Boston, the latest stop of their Ratitude tour.

Inside the bus were five passengers including the band's lead singer Rivers Cuomo, his wife, daughter and an assistant.

Cuomo and the band's assistant were taken here to St. Mary’s Hospital which is a few miles away from the accident. Officials say Cuomo was complaining of having rib pain but over all they were both treated for minor injuries.

Police don't suspect drugs or alcohol are the factors of the accident. They do believe the weather and icy conditions are to blame.

Sweet Home crash leaves three injured

Via MattarMedia AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - Three people are recovering from injuries suffered in an accident, in Amherst.

Two vehicles collided near Sweet Home and Rensch, around 6 p.m. Sunday.

Three people were taken from the scene by ambulance.

There's no word on their names or conditions.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Cops: 4 kids hurt in crash at Ind. day care center

Via MattarMedia INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A sport utility vehicle fleeing police officers crashed into a day care center Thursday, injuring four children and an employee, police said.

About 18 children were inside the Stepping Stones Child Care when the SUV slammed into the brick building on the city's north side around 12:15 p.m., Lt. Jeff Duhamell said.

Kara Hardister, who runs the day care, said the crash sent bricks flying into a room for 3-year-olds just before their nap time.

One of the four children was in critical but stable condition at Methodist Hospital, while the other three had non-life-threatening injuries, Duhamell said. A woman working at the day care center suffered a broken leg when she was struck by bricks, and another person was injured when the SUV hit a car during the police chase. Duhamell said those injuries weren't serious.

He said police apprehended two people in the SUV, one of whom required stitches to a hand.

Officers were chasing the SUV following an armed robbery at a nearby Family Dollar store when the crash occurred, Duhamell said.

Tenants in a nearby building said the crash sounded like gunfire. The SUV remained lodged in the side of the day care more than an hour later.

Whittney Rutland said she raced to the day care center to check on her 3-year-old son, Armohni Preswood, after hearing about the crash. She ran through the police tape and found out that her son was safe and had been taken to another day care nearby.

"I ran through there and stuff was dropping out of my purse," she said. "I was so scared."

Hardister said 40 to 45 children are typically in the building midday, but about two dozen were on a field trip at the time of the crash.

"It's just senseless, just senseless, that innocent people have to go through this," she said.

Jamesville man arrested for DWI for 7th time

Via MattarMedia North Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – A Jamesville man told police he was going to state prison after he was arrested for his 7th DWI early Thursday morning.

Police noticed a trailer being towed by 47-year-old David Bertelli of Jamesville did not have a registration sticker affixed to it. While a DMV check was being performed, police saw Bertelli's truck cross the double yellow lane divider lines.

Bertelli failed a field sobriety test after admitting that he’d had “too much beer for this conversation” with police.

Bertelli told police that it was going to be his 7th DWI arrest. Bertelli’s blood alcohol content was .14%, almost twice the legal limit.

Bertelli was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, a class D Felony, due to the fact he had two DWI convictions within the last ten years. He was also charged with having a BAC of more than .08%, operating with a suspended registration, unregistered trailer, uninspected trailer, failure to keep right, and consuming an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.

Bertelli was arraigned in North Syracuse Village Court and remanded to the Justice Center in lieu of $2,500 cash or $5,000 bail bond. He also had his driver’s license suspended.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Utica couple injured in rollover

Via MattarMedia TRENTON - A Utica couple was injured in a Wednesday evening rollover on Route 12.

Michael Seelman, 20, was trying to avoid a deer about 7 p.m. when he lost control of his car and hit an embankment causing the car to rollover, according to the Oneida County Sheriffs Office.

Seelman sustained minor head injuries. His wife Jamie, 26, had a back injury. Both were taken to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center for treatment.

DWI sweep leads to 7 arrests, 163 tickets

Via MattarMedia WHITESTOWN - Seven people were arrested and more than 160 tickets were issued last weekend as part of a Thanksgiving weekend crackdown on drunken driving and improper use of safety restraints, the Whitesboro Police Department said.

Officers from the Whitestown, Whitesboro, New York Mills and Yorkville police departments worked together between Nov. 25 and 29 to man saturation patrols and checkpoints throughout Whitestown.

As a result, six people were charged with driving while intoxicated, one person was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and 163 tickets were issued for seatbelt violations and other traffic violations, police said.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Police say Tiger Woods at fault in crash

Via MattarMedia ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Highway Patrol says it will issue Tiger Woods a careless driving citation for a car crash outside his Orlando-area mansion last week.

Maj. Cindy Williams said Tuesday that will close the investigation and no criminal charges are being pursued. Woods faces a $164 fine.

According to a patrol accident report, Woods crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree at 2:25 a.m. Friday. The airbags did not deploy and Woods' wife told Windermere police she used a golf club to smash the back windows to help him out.

Woods withdrew Monday from his own golf tournament, citing injuries from the crash.

The crash came two days after The National Enquirer published a story alleging that Woods had been seeing a New York nightclub hostess. The woman denies having an affair with Woods.

First Measurable Snow Of Season Results In Plenty Of Accidents

Via MattarMedia - The north country saw its first measurable snowfall Tuesday morning and as a result, law enforcement officials saw plenty of weather related accidents.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating a head-on collision on State Route 126 in the Town of Rutland early Tuesday morning.

According to reports, Claire Vincent, from West Carthage, was driving a Ford pick-up truck towards Watertown when she attempted to pass an un-involved vehicle.

Realizing she did not have enough time to pass, she tried to return to her lane, lost control on the snow covered road and swerved back into the on-coming lane.

Vincent struck Karen Shepis, from Watertown, who was driving a Chrysler sedan head-on.

Both were transported to Samaritan Medical Center.

Shepis was transferred to a Syracuse hospital while Vincent was treated for minor injuries and released.

A helicopter was originally called to the scene, but was grounded due to weather.

Officials say charges are pending.

Meanwhile in Canton, a sports utility vehicle rolled over onto its top on Riverside Drive.

Police said snowy conditions contributed to the accident.

No one was seriously hurt; both people in the GMC Yukon were wearing seat belts.

Tow truck drivers were busy throughout the morning Tuesday.

"The roads are getting slick so slow down, take your time, leave home earlier if you're headed to work or school and drive safely," said Kevin Mousaw of the Canton Police Department.

In the town of Canton on Waterman Hill Road, a red car needed to be fetched out of a ditch.

Police said the driver lost control on the snow and ice covered road.

The driver was able to crawl out of the car.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Three people sent to hospital following Paris crash

Via MattarMedia PARIS, N.Y. (WKTV) - Three people have been sent to local hospitals following a multiple vehicle crash Monday afternoon.

Few details were being released at news time, but witnesses at the scene said a car and pickup truck crashed into each other around 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Stone Road and Marshall Road in the Town of Paris.

There is currently no word on the extent of injuries or if any tickets will be issued.

Police search for hit and run driver

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo Police want your help in their search for a hit and run driver.

Investigators were called to an accident at Elmwood and Hinman, on Monday just before 11 p.m.

Two women were treated and released from ECMC.

Police are looking for a green SUV, possibly a jeep that took off heading south on Elmwood.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Rome woman charged with DWI

Via MattarMedia LENOX — A 43-year-old Rome woman was charged Saturday with driving while intoxicated after being stopped for driving erratically on the state Thruway in the town of Lenox, according to state troopers.

Patricia Keating, of Rickmeyer Road, was arrested after her blood alcohol content level was found to be 0.12 percent, troopers said.

She was released and is due to appear in Lenox Town Court on Dec. 8.

Woods says accident 'my fault'

Via MattarMedia WINDERMERE, Fla. (AP) - Tiger Woods says the car crash that sent him to the hospital is his fault and has become embarrassing to him
and his family, but he plans to keep it a private matter.

In a statement posted Sunday on his Web site about an hour before he was meet with troopers, Woods says his wife, Elin, acted "courageously" when she saw that he was hurt. He says any other assertion is "absolutely false."

Woods says he understands there is curiosity about the accident. He says the "malicious" rumors circulating about him and his family are irresponsible.

The world's No. 1 golfer says he has cuts and bruising and is "pretty sore."

Beating the odds after a life-threatening accident

Via MattarMedia - A Rochester man, who was never expected to survive after a serious motorcycle crash in August, celebrated his 19th birthday Saturday.

Vinnie Williams is beating the odds. Family and friends came together at Monroe Community Hospital for his birthday.

Three months ago, doctors said if Williams lived, he'd be in a vegetative state and on a ventilator the rest of his life.

Today, he's breathing on his own, communicating with his eyes and moving the left side of his body. His family says it's an answer to prayer, and his birthday is something to celebrate.

"So it's always a beautiful thing to see people that you love to come together as a family and just support one another and just stay together as one, says Corey Jackson, a family friend.

Williams was hurt in a motorcycle accident back in late August at the corner of West Main and Brown Street. Police say he turned in front of a truck.

His mother tells us he's making progress every day and that she's holding on to her faith during his recovery.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Buffalo-area highway closed following truck crash

Via MattarMedia TONAWANDA - A section of a heavily traveled Buffalo-area interstate highway is closed after a tractor-trailer overturned and spilled its load of metal.

Police say the accident occurred around 4 a.m. Wednesday on an elevated ramp leading from Interstate 290 to southbound Interstate 190 in the town of Tonawanda, just north of Buffalo.

Authorities say the truck's load spilled onto I-190 below, forcing the closure of the north- and southbound lanes between exits 15 and 16. Police say the driver wasn't hurt.

I-190, the Niagara Thruway, is the main commuter highway between Buffalo and its northern suburbs on Grand Island and in Niagara County. The accident is expected to cause problems during the morning rush hour.

There was no indication from police when the highway would reopen.

Four hurt in accident involving State Police vehicle

Via MattarMedia Central Square (WSYR-TV) - State police are investigating a crash involving a trooper's patrol car in Central Square.

State police said a man ran into the road on route 11 north of the village just before 8pm Tuesday. The Trooper swerved to avoid him and crashed into an oncoming vehicle.


Four people have been taken to the hospital for treatment, three people in the second car and the pedestrian. None of their injuries are considered life-threatening. The Trooper was not hurt.

STOP-DWI holiday crackdown begins

Via MattarMedia - STOP-DWI, a highway safety program, began its holiday crackdown on Nov. 20, according to a statement released by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.

The program will be enforced en masse until Jan. 2.

Local law enforcement agencies in every county in New York will use sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols to catch drunken drivers.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Principal faces DWI charges in court

Via MattarMedia ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) - A local high school principal, accused of being drunk while behind the wheel, will have his day in court.

Springville-Griffith High School Principal Vincent Vanderlip is facing DWI charges in Orchard Park.

He's also facing charged of leaving the scene of an injury accident, in Hamburg.

Close call for five students in vehicle accident

Via MattarMedia NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (WKTV) - Five students between 15 and 20 years of age escaped injury Monday afternoon when a car and a school bus collided in front of Sangertown Square Mall in New Hartford.

New Hartford Police say the accident happened around 2:30pm when New York Mills school bus driver, Richard W. Thomas, 65, New Hartford, was heading west on Seneca Turnpike. Police say an eastbound car, driven by Virginia A. Dotzler, 63, Vernon Center, turned left across the path of the bus.

No injuries were reported.

Dotzler was ticketed for failure to yield and driving an uninsured vehicle. She will be back in New Hartford Town Court on December 29th.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Driver Loses Control of Truck, Strikes Home in Town of LeRay

Via MattarMedia - Jefferson County Sherrif's Deputies are investigating an accident on Elm Ridge Road in Evans Mills where a woman lost control of her pick-up truck and struck a house.

Shortly after 6:30 AM, Sharon Hartwell, Theresa, was driving south when she lost control of her truck on frost covered pavement and struck a home in the Town of LeRay.

Hartwell was transported to Samaritan Medical Center with facial and head injuries.

No one in the home was injured.

Deputies say charges are pending.

Police officer hurt in crash

Via MattarMedia - A Rochester police officer was among three people taken to the hospital following a car accident on Monroe Avenue.

It happened early Sunday morning just before 3am.

Police say the officer was driving west on Monroe when another car, driving east, turned in front of the officer onto Howell Street.

The officer crashed into the car, in an accident that sent the drivers and one passenger to Strong Hospital.

The officer suffered just minor injuries and has been released. The driver of the other car is in guarded condition with serious injuries.

The investigation into the crash continues. At this point, no charges have been filed yet.

New Hartford police searching for the driver involved in car-pedestrian accident

Via MattarMedia NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (WKTV) - New Hartford police are looking for the driver they say was involved in a car-pedestrian accident at the intersection of Oxford Rd. and Imperial Drive around 6pm Friday night.

According to police, the driver struck a woman who was walking, causing minor injury. The driver then gave the woman a ride home, but left before exchanging information.

The vehicle is described as a black SUV with a white female operator.
Anyone with information is asked to call New Hartford Police at 733-6666.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Rochester man charged with DWI after collision with police car

Via MattarMedia - A Rochester man faces charges of driving while intoxicated and unlicensed operation after being involved in an accident with a city police officer driving a patrol car late Wednesday..

Capt. Todd Baxter of the Rochester Police Department said there were no injuries in the accident, which occurred at 10:54 p.m. at West Avenue and Hancock Street. Baxter said the male police officer, whose name was not released, was treated at Strong Memorial Hospital and released.

Baxter said the officer was driving on West Avenue while on patrol, with no lights or sirens, when a car driven by Sidney Parris, 28, turned left in front of the patrol car.

New DWI Law: Ignition interlock device to take effect in Summer

Via MattarMedia (WKTV) - On Wednesday, lawmakers passed some of the strictest DWI laws in the country.

One of those laws forces those who are convicted of DWI to install an ignition interlock device into their vehicle.

What is it, and what are the costs?

Ignition interlock is a device you must blow into before you start your vehicle. Soon, anyone in New York State who gets a DWI may have to put one in their vehicle. This means they will have to blow into the interlock device first - and if they have a .02 or less BAC, then their vehicle will start.

There is a whole website devoted to the ignition interlock device for those who need one. That's because if your forced to have one, you're on your own to make sure to get one. And soon, people convicted of DWI in New York State will have too.

The law states that anyone who needs the device will have to pay for it themselves. There is an initial fee for the device - a fee to have it installed and then a fee of around $60 per month to have it in your vehicle.

In order for your car to start, you must blow into the device. If your blood alcohol content is .02 or less the car will start.

Law enforcement officials said .02 is generally what is in mouthwash or medicines.

Once the car is started however, the driver must continue to blow into the device every few minutes while driving - the intention is to avoid having someone else start a vehicle.

Part of those new New York State DWI laws will take affect in 30 days - if you have a child in the vehicle while you're drinking and driving, stiffer penalties will soon be imposed.

However, this new ignition interlock program wont take affect for another 9 months.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Head-On Collision on Oxbow Road in Theresa

Via MattarMedia - A sedan and a blue VW Beetle collided head-on early Thursday morning, sending one seriously injured victim to the hospital.

The accident happened on County Route 22, also known as Oxbow Road, in the Town of Theresa.

The road is currently closed.

Theresa Fire Chief Mark Savage said that a preliminary investigation was underway, but that road conditions could have played a part in the accident.

Two other subjects involved in the accident signed off on treatment and were still being interviewed by authorities.

Crash into a swamp leads to DWI arrest

Via MattarMedia ROME - An Oneida woman was charged with driving while intoxicated after she reportedly drove on the wrong side of the road and crashed her Jeep into a swamp off of Route 365 about 6 a.m. on Wednesday.

Oneida County Sheriff’s reported finding Kristen Schuck, 34, in the vehicle attempting to leave the scene of the crash.

Schuck was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hopstial after showing signs of a drug overdose.

She was charged with DWI , DWI drugs, and driving with a suspended license all misdemeanor. She was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana a violation, driving the wrong way and not wearing a seat belt — both traffic infractions.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

State police car reportedly involved in crash

Via MattarMedia VERONA - Few details were available late Tuesday night regarding a car accident that reportedly involved a state police vehicle.

The accident occurred at about 10:15 p.m. at the intersection of routes 31 and 365 in front of Joel’s Front Yard Steakhouse.

State police late Tuesday night said no further information was immediately available.

Troopers and Oneida County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene, as well as area firefighters.

Car crashes into porch; fight ensues

Via MattarMedia UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Police are investigating a late night fight on Howard Avenue in Utica after a car crashed into a house porch.

It turns out that car was allegedly stolen and some residents say they heard shots being fired in the neighborhood. The crash happened around 10:30 Monday night. The porch of the home that the car ran into was badly damaged.

Utica Police were called to the scene to investigate, although few details are being released about the situation.

No one was hurt in the actual crash. As for the fight, police have not said if anyone has been arrested or backed up what witnesses were saying about hearing gun shots.

Senate, Assembly agree on new DWI law

Via MattarMedia ALBANY - New York's Senate and Assembly leaders say they've agreed on toughening state law to make driving drunk with a child in the vehicle a felony.

The deal will also require offenders to have devices installed that will keep their engine from starting if their breath shows they're drunk.

The agreement on what will be called "Leandra's Law" comes after the Assembly said it would pass the same version of the bill that the Senate has pushed.

The bill is named for 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed when a station wagon full of children driven by a mother since accused of drunken driving crashed in Manhattan on Oct. 11. They were heading to a sleepover.

Lenny Rosado, Leandra's father, calls Tuesday a glorious and victorious day.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Study: Injured uninsured more likely to die in ER

Via MattarMedia CHICAGO (AP) - Uninsured patients with traumatic injuries, such as car crashes, falls and gunshot wounds, were almost twice as likely to die in the hospital as similarly injured patients with health insurance, according to a troubling new study.

The findings by Harvard University researchers surprised doctors and health experts who have believed emergency room care was equitable.

"This is another drop in a sea of evidence that the uninsured fare much worse in their health in the United States," said senior author Dr. Atul Gawande, a Harvard surgeon and medical journalist.

The study, appearing in the November issue of Archives of Surgery, comes as Congress is debating the expansion of health insurance coverage to millions more Americans. It could add fodder to that debate.

The researchers couldn't pin down the reasons behind the differences they found. The uninsured might experience more delays being transferred from hospital to hospital. Or they might get different care. Or they could have more trouble communicating with doctors.

The hospitals that treat them also could have fewer resources.

"Those hospitals tend to be financially strapped, not have the same level of staffing, not have the same level of surgeons and testing and equipment," Gawande said. "That also is likely a major contributor."

Gawande favors health care reform and has frequently written about the inequities of the current system.

The researchers took into account the severity of the injuries and the patients' race, gender and age. After those adjustments, they still found the uninsured were 80 percent more likely to die than those with insurance - even low-income patients insured by the government's Medicaid program.

"I'm really surprised," said Dr. Eric Lavonas of the American College of Emergency Physicians and a doctor at Denver Health Medical Center. "It's well known that people without health insurance don't get the same quality of health care in this country, but I would have thought that this group of patients would be the least vulnerable."

Some private hospitals are more likely to transfer an uninsured patient than an insured patient, said Lavonas, who wasn't involved in the new research.

"Sometimes we get patients transferred and we suspect they're being transferred because of payment issues," he said. "The transferring physician says, 'We're not able to handle this."'

Federal law requires hospital ERs to treat all patients who are medically unstable. But hospitals can transfer patients, or send them away, once they're stabilized. A transfer could worsen a patient's condition by delaying treatment.

The researchers analyzed data on nearly 690,000 U.S. patients from 2002 through 2006. Burn patients were not included, nor were people who were treated and released, or dead on arrival.

In the study, the overall death rate was 4.7 percent, so most emergency room patients survived their injuries. The commercially insured patients had a death rate of 3.3 percent. The uninsured patients' death rate was 5.7 percent. Those rates were before the adjustments for other risk factors.

The findings are based on an analysis of data from the National Trauma Data Bank, which includes more than 900 U.S. hospitals.

"We have to take the findings very seriously," said lead author Dr. Heather Rosen, a surgery resident at Los Angeles County Hospital, who found similar results when she analyzed children's trauma data for an earlier study. "This affects every person, of every age, of every race."

Motorist rescues man from rollover accident on Route 81

Via MattarMedia Cicero (WSYR-TV) – Onondaga County Sherriff Deputies are investigating a one car crash on Route 81 where the badly injured driver was pulled out of the vehicle by another motorist.

At approximately 5:41 p.m. Deputies responded to the rollover crash on Route 81 just south of Route 31. They say Charles Whittier, 47, lost control of his 1999 Chevrolet Blazer and left the west side of the road at high speed, rolling several times. Witnesses said that Whittier had been weaving in and out of traffic.

After rolling over several times, the vehicle came to rest upright and caught fire. After being pulled from the vehicle, the Whittier was taken to University Hospital with life threatening injuries. He is currently listed in critical condition.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash and Onondaga County Sherriff’s Accident Invesitgation Team will conduct a complete investigation.

New York State Police and the Department of Transportation have restricted traffic to one southbound lane near the crash while the scene is cleared.

UPD officer injured after rear-ending DPW truck

Via MattarMedia UTICA - A Utica police officer suffered a broken ankle early Monday after his vehicle rear-ended a dump truck for the city Department of Public Works, police officials said.

Officer Tim Atanasoff, 42, was driving to the report of an open door at the Donovan Middle School about 12:10 a.m. Monday when his police cruiser struck the truck in the area of Warren and York streets, city Deputy Police Chief Mark Williams said.

The DPW truck was moving at the time, and its driver – 27-year-old Jeff Abounader – was injured in the crash, Williams said.

While Atanasoff was sent to the St. Elizabeth Medical Center for a serious ankle injury, Williams did not know the extent of Abounader’s injuries.

Williams said he was not certain whether Atanasoff’s vehicle emergency lights or siren were on at the time, but the accident remains under investigation.

No tickets have been issued at this time, he said.

Atanasoff has been with the department for about two or three years after serving in the military, Williams said.

Because of Atanasoff’s serious ankle injury, Williams said he anticipates the officer will be out of work for a period of time.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Lewis Co. teen charged with attempting to run over youths

Via MattarMedia LYONSDALE - A 17-year-old Lewis County female is facing multiple charges after she attempted to run over several teenagers following a confrontation last week in the town of Lyonsdale, according to Lewis County sheriff’s deputies.

Mariah Mashaw, of McDonald Road, Port Leyden, was charged Sunday with three counts of second-degree reckless endangerment and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors stemming from the Nov. 9 incident, deputies said.

According to deputies, Kyle Riesel was driving south on Franklin Street in the village of Lyons Falls that afternoon with two other passengers, ages 16 and 15, in his vehicle.

As Riesel made a right-hand turn onto Laura Street, his vehicle was intentionally struck in the rear bumper by another vehicle driven by Mashaw, deputies said. Riesel continued driving until he eventually stopped a short time later about 3 p.m. in a parking area along Lyons Falls Road.

After Riesel and his two passengers all got out of their vehicle, Mashaw then allegedly attempted to strike all three individuals with her vehicle, deputies said. None of the targeted individuals were struck.

Mashaw was later ticketed and is due to appear in Lyonsdale Town Court at a later date.
Via MattarMedia - ANNSVILLE, N.Y. (WKTV) - A Rome woman was arrested for DWI early Sunday morning after she lost control of her car causing the vehicle to roll several times.

Cassondra Taylor, 34 of Rome was traveling eastbound on Pond Hill Road in the Town of Annsville when the accident occurred. Taylor was trapped in the vehicle for several minutes and was extricated by the Taberg Fire Department with the Jaws of Life. She was transported to Rome Memorial Hospital by Am Care to be evaluated.

No injuries appeared to be life threatening. Taylor was ticketed for excessive speed along with her arrest of Driving While Intoxicated.

Car crashes into Dick’s Sporting Goods in Victor

Via MattarMedia - A Marion man was transported to the hospital after his car drove into the Dick’s Sporting Goods Store in Victor Saturday night.

50-year-old Timothy Smith claims he passed out, and the car ended up hitting the store. He was transported to the hospital complaining of chest pain.

The other two passengers were not transported to the hospital.

There was no structural damage to the store.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Carthage Man in Critical Condition After Accident

Via MattarMedia - Injured in the collision was Robert Gormley, 40, of State Street in Carthage and the driver of the other vehicle, Tyler Colon, 23, of Rochester.

Also injured was Colon's passenger, Amanda Keefe, 23, of Rainbow Lake.

State Police say that Colon and Gormley were flown by helicopter to University Hospital in Syracuse.

Gormley remains in critical condition as of Friday morning while Colon is in fair condition.

Keefe is being treated at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown.

Investigators state that Colon was driving west on State Route 3 when his car crossed over into the oncoming lane and struck Gormley's vehicle.

Earlier Report:

Three people were rushed to hospitals following an accident on Route 3 in the Lewis County town of Diana Thursday afternoon.

Two cars collided and ended up pushed up against guardrail.

Two people in one car and one person in the other vehicle were injured.

Two of the accident victims were airlifted by choppers to a Syracuse hospital.

The other injured party was rushed by ambulance to Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown.

The accident happened at approximately 12:30 p.m.

We'll have more details as they become available

6 injured, vehicles struck by erratic driver, police say

Via MattarMedia - A 27-year-old man is facing a slew of traffic tickets and felony charges after he allegedly drove his car into pedestrians, a bicyclist and a vehicle on South Plymouth Avenue Thursday afternoon before leading police on a chase through residential and commercial streets.

Just after 2 p.m., Officer Jeffrey Schroeder was flagged down by people in front of a Sunoco gas station and mini-mart at 700 S. Plymouth Ave. He then witnessed a silver Nissan Maxima driving erratically.

While doing doughnuts in the lot, the vehicle struck a bicyclist, another vehicle and about three pedestrians in the parking lot area of the gas station.

Schroeder attempted to pull over the Maxima but the vehicle rammed into the police car a few times before pulling onto South Plymouth Avenue and leading police on a chase.

Police said the Maxima struck another vehicle at Jefferson Avenue and West Main Street and then struck another police vehicle at Jefferson Avenue and Clifton Street.

There was minor damage to both police vehicles, and no police officers were injured during the pursuit.

The pursuit ended about 2:15 p.m. near the intersection of Brooks Avenue and Genesee Street after the vehicle being chased struck a minivan. Speeds during the chase were over 30 mph but not much faster, Executive Deputy Chief George Market said. During the pursuit, police had lights and sirens on.

The driver of the Maxima, Munir Muthana, 27, of Rochester was taken into custody at the scene and then taken to Strong Memorial Hospital to be treated for some minor injuries, police said. Markert said several alcohol containers were found inside the Maxima, which might have been a contributing factor to his erratic driving.

Muthana is facing multiple charges ranging from vehicular assault and assault to several vehicle and traffic violations. Six civilians were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital to be treated for injuries that were considered to be minor.

Police believe all victims were random bystanders and not targets or acquaintances of the man driving the vehicle.

Rochester man in custody after police chase

Via MattarMedia - A Rochester man is in custody after a police chase down several Rochester streets.

Around 2 p.m., a Rochester Police officer was flagged down in front of a store on South Plymouth Avenue for the report of a man, identified as 27-year-old Munir Muthana, driving erratically.

Police tried to stop Muthana but he did not stop and then struck the officer’s vehicle. A slow-speed pursuit ensued down various streets in southwest Rochester. Muthana’s Nissan Maxima hit a car at Jefferson Avenue and West Main Street.

He continued driving down Jefferson Avenue, hitting a second police vehicle driven by a K-9 sergeant at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Clifton Street.

The pursuit continued and eventually ended on South Plymouth just before the intersection of Genesee Street where Muthana’s car hit another car.

Rochester Police say Muthana will be facing multiple charges including vehicular assault, assault and several vehicle and traffic charges.

Police do not believe Muthana was acquainted with any of the victims of the incident.

No one, including the police officers, were seriously injured.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Wampsville man charged after Jeep found in trees

Via MattarMedia ROME - No one saw the crash that left Jeremy Singer injured in his Jeep on Route 26.

But at about 8:40 p.m. Wednesday, someone did notice the green vehicle in the trees near Lawrence Street in Rome.

Singer, 35, of Wampsville was found with facial injuries and was transported to Rome Memorial Hospital. He was later charged with DWI and refusal of a field breath screening.

Singer was discharged from the hospital and is being held at the City of Rome Police Department in lieu of $500 bail and a pending arraignment.

Disagreement at state Capitol stalls bill for harsher DWI penalties

Via MattarMedia ALBANY - Tougher punishment for driving drunk with a child in the vehicle remains a dream to a broken-hearted father after political disagreement in Albany stalled "Leandra's Law."

Lenny Rosado's sobbing testimony calling for a law named for his 11-year old daughter couldn't draw together opposing sides in the Senate, the Assembly, and the governor's office Tuesday.

Leandra died when a station wagon full of children driven by a mother accused of drunken driving crashed in Manhattan on Oct. 11.

The children, including the driver's daughter, were headed to a sleepover.

At issue is whether the charge should always be a felony, punishable by four years or more in prison, or whether lesser offenses might be treated as a misdemeanor, punishable by no more than a year in jail.

New York drivers upset over new fees

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - New York State will spend $32 million to make new blue and gold license plates, in order to charge New Yorkers millions for renewals. Is that a gold plated mistake?

New York's trademark white and blue license plates have served drivers from the Empire State well for the last eight years.

But now, the Empire State's government needs cash and the new tags are almost as good as a license to print money.

State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt voted against the "revenue enhancement" back in April, when it was included in the new state budget, and Hoyt likes it even less now.

County Clerks across the state are opposed to collecting the new fees. State lawmakers are getting flack , and the drivers? They are incensed.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

East Greenbush man arrested for DWI after crash

Via MattarMedia - An East Greenbush man was released from Albany Medical Center and promptly arrested for DWI for allegedly crashing his car under the influence on Sunday evening, injuring a man and his 14-year-old daughter.

East Greenbush Police escorted Oscar L. Lewis, 40, to the police department on Tuesday and charged him with aggravated vehicular assault and DWI, according to a statement released by police on Tuesday evening.

Lewis was remanded to Rensselaer County Jail on $100,000 bail and will be back in court on Nov. 13.

Bicyclist suffers minor injuries in hit-and-run

Via MattarMedia UTICA — A 38-year-old male was injured Monday when his bicycle was struck during a hit-and-run accident on Bleecker Street, the Utica Police Department said.

Simon Davis of Utica was struck by a white minivan at about 7:40 p.m. while riding his bike on the 800 block of Bleecker Street, near the intersection with Hubbell Street, police said.

Davis was taken to a local hospital, but it appeared that he suffered only minor injuries, police said.

The driver of the van, 18-year-old John Dorsagno of Utica, later was stopped on North Genesee Street and ticketed for leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, police said.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Lockport crash claims one life

Via MattarMedia LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) - An accident in Niagara County has left one person dead and another severely injured.

It was around 10 p.m. Monday, when Lockport Police officers say they started following a car along Vine Street after they say it ran a stop sign.

One of the people inside was killed instantly.

Mercy Flight was called in to airlift the other person to ECMC.

Witnesses say the car was speeding when it hit the steep hill at Vine and Garden Street in Lockport.

Pedestrian accident sent to grand jury

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A grand jury is now investigating the case against a man accused of being high on drugs when he hit a pedestrian.

Steven Cavarello is charged with vehicular assault and driving under the influence.

Investigators say he hit 31-year-old Sarah Gregory as she was crossing South Park Avenue, last September.

Gregory lost her left leg in the accident.

She was released from the hospital on Friday.

Intoxicated man arrested for DWI while trying to pick up drunken friend

Via MattarMedia Syracuse, New York (WSYR-TV) - Fulton police charged two men with DWI and other charges after one of the men tried to post bail for the other, while also being intoxicated.

Police tell us that Richard A. Miller, 26, of Honey Hill Road, Fulton, had been a passenger in a car driven by of Dustin R. Amos, 24 of Rowlee Road in Fulton, who was arrested for DWI around 4 AM on Sunday.

Around 5 AM, Miller came to the station to post bail for Amos while intoxicated. Miller was turned away at the door and police followed him for a short distance and subsequently arrested him for DWI.

Both Amos and Miller were released on cash bail to responsible, sober parties.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Car and bus crash in the Town of Ogden

Via MattarMedia - Police are investigating an accident in the Town of Ogden.

Multiple ambulances were called to the scene at Washington Street and Colby Street, where a Lifetime Assistance bus and a car collided.

Crews had to free a person from the car. The bus hit a house after the crash.

Fire officials tell News 10NBC that four people were transported in all, with three coming from the bus and one from the car.

Their injuries are not life threatening.

Five Sent to Hospital After Accident

Via MattarMedia - The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department says Angel Carter, 18, of Morristown was driving southwest on State Highway 37 when she lost control of the car.

The car went off the road, flipped over, and hit a tree.

Seven people were in the car. Five of them were taken to Claxton Hepburn Medical Center for treatment.

Carter was arrested and is facing charges of DWI, failure to keep right, and endangering the welfare of a child.

The investigation is still ongoing, and she may face additional charges.

Motorcycle crash in Niagara County

Via MattarMedia NIAGARA COUNTY (WIVB) - A motorcyclist was airlifted to the hospital early Sunday morning after authorities say he crashed into a deer in Niagara County.

Niagara County authorities say the driver was travelling on Johnson Creek Road a little before two this morning when he crashed into a deer near Bradley Road.

He was taken to ECMC by Mercy Flight.

His name and condition are not known.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Slush-covered road leads to accident

Via MattarMedia WOODGATE - A woman and a child were sent to the hospital Thursday night following an accident on a slush-covered road, Oneida County sheriff's Deputy Craig Stockhauser said.

At 7:30 p.m. on Route 28, Deborah A. Devoldre, 46, of Old Forge, was traveling north when she lost control of her vehicle due to the slush-covered roadway and veered off the right shoulder, striking a tree head-on, deputies said.

Devoldre was treated for pain to her chest, and passenger Mark Devoldre 11, of Old Forge, was treated for head pain, deputies said.

Both were transported to Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, St. Luke's campus, by Prospect Ambulance for further evaluation and treatment.

No tickets were issued, deputies said.

Six-car crash on Jefferson Road

Via MattarMedia - There were no serious injuries but a six-car crash did cause some traffic headaches. It happened on Jefferson Road in Henrietta around 1:30 p.m.

Three of the vehicles involved were piled on top of each other. Sheriff’s Deputies say one vehicle rear ended another vehicle sending multiple vehicles crashing into one another.

Two people were transported to the hospital with complaints of back pain.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Pumpkin thrown from vehicle crashes through windshield

Via MattarMedia Manlius, New York (WSYR-TV) - A Chittenango woman was injured early this morning when a pumpkin was thrown through her windshield along Green Lakes Road in the Town of Manlius.

The incident happened around 1:55 this morning along a stretch of Green Lakes Road with a speed limit of 55 MPH.

Manlius Police say the Chittenango woman was driving westbound on Green Lakes Road near Alverna Heights Road when a pumpkin was thrown through her windshield by an on-coming westbound vehicle.

The pumpkin broke through the window and covered the woman with glass. She was able to pull her vehicle over without crashing.

The woman was treated at the scene for glass in her eyes and face, and was taken to the hospital.

Manlius Police are asking for your help. If you saw anything along Green Lakes Road early this morning, call them at 682-2212.

Schenectady Police investigating hit-and-run accident

Via MattarMedia - Schenectady Police are investigating a hit-and-run accident that occurred on Albany Street at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

A 16-year-old boy was crossing the street when a dark-colored Lincoln struck him at an excessive speed, according to a statement released by police on Wednesday night.

The boy suffered a fractured thigh and was transported to Albany Medical Center.

The vehicle was last spotted near Albany Street and Elm Street.

School bus accident on Grand Island

Via MattarMedia GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - A bus slammed into a tree head on while on Whitehaven Road on Grand Island.

Twenty-two elementary aged students were believed to be on the bus at the time. None of their injuries are believed to be serious.

News 4 is told another vehicle was also involved in the crash. The extent of their injuries is unknown, however, they have been taken to ECMC.

Despite the the damage there are no serious injuries.

The female bus driver has been taken to the hospital. One boy suffered a cut and his parents took him to their pediatrician. The children must all be checked out individually.

The cause is under investigation. Erie County Sheriff's Office said it appears the car may have failed to yield to the right of way, but that is not yet confirmed.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Truck rolls over on Thruway; driver OK

Via MattarMedia Warners (WSYR-TV) - A UPS truck rolled over into a swampy area just off the Thruway early this morning. The driver was not hurt.

The crash happened on the Thruway eastbound between Warners and Memphis around 4:30 AM.

All lanes of the Thruway remain open along this stretch of the highway. Crews will need to get a tow truck to move the truck out of the swampy area.

Driver who hit mother is arrested

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo Police have made an arrest in an accident that caused a mother to lose her leg.

Steven Cavarello is now in custody.

Police said he struck Sarah Gregory on South Park Avenue back in September.

Her left leg had to be amputated.

Cavarello is charged with vehicular assault and driving under the influence of drugs.

Two teens injured in Annsville crash

Via MattarMedia ANNSVILLE - Two teenagers were injured Tuesday when the car they were traveling in struck a mailbox and then a tree along Taberg Florence Road, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office said.

Nicholas Anagnos, 18, of Camden was northbound at about 4:40 p.m. Tuesday when he lost control of his SUV on a curve and left the roadway. Anagnos’ vehicle then struck a mailbox and overturned twice before coming to rest against a tree, deputies said.

Both he and his passenger, 18-year-old Megan Ammann of Camden, were transported to Rome Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, deputies said.

Speed and wet road conditions were factors in the accident and both parties likely would have sustained serious injuries if not for the use of their seatbelts, deputies said.

State police assisted at the scene.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Lewis Co. man crashes car after falling asleep

Via MattarMedia - A 54-year-old Port Leyden man was injured Monday night after he fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed his vehicle into a tree, according to Lewis County sheriff’s deputies.

Robert Hughes, of Kelpytown Road, was driving south on Route 812 in the town of New Bremen about 10:48 p.m. Monday when he fell asleep and drove off the side of the roadway, deputies said.

After the vehicle struck a tree, Hughes was trapped inside the car until emergency responders arrived, deputies said. Hughes was extricated from the vehicle and transported by an Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office helicopter to University Hospital in Syracuse.

Hughes currently is being treated for his injuries, which did not appear to be life-threatening, deputies said.

No tickets have been issued, but the accident still is under investigation, deputies said.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by Lewis County Search and Rescue, the New Bremen Fire Department, the Croghan Fire Department and Ambulance, as well as the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office.

Breathalyzer Halloween outfit allegedly found in vehicle of DWI suspect

Via MattarMedia COLONIE - Town cops out in force over the Halloween weekend as part of a countywide DWI blanket patrol got quite a surprise early Sunday.

It came when police pulled over a 24-year-old local man on suspicion of druken driving and found that he had a Breathalyzer costume in his vehicle.

Once more, Theodore M. Piel of Colonie allegedly refused to take a Breathalyzer when back at the police station. He'd been stopped after his vehicle was observed allegedly speeding and tailgating, Traffic Division Lt. Ken Pero said Monday.

The stop was made about 1:20 a.m. at Central Avenue and Tull Drive. Piel told Officers Nicholas Sidoti and Nicholas Burns he had been at a house party and offered to don his costume, Pero said.

Police at that point gave Piel a field sobriety test.

"Whatever tests he was given, he failed," Pero said. Among them was a pre-screening, known as an Alco-Sensor test, in which the motorist is asked to blow into a little tube-like device which checks for the presence of alcohol.

Piel was taken to the police station, and walked in dressed up in the sobering attire.

He was a "happy person" when he came in, Pero said, but his mood soon changed. He refused to take a Breathalyzer which shows the person's blood-alcohol content.

Piel also allegedly caused other problems for police while handcuffed to a desk where an officer was using a computer to fill out an arrest report.

When the officer stepped away, Piel -- using his free hand -- grabbed the mouse and deleted all of the information the officer had put on the report, Pero said.

As a result, Piel -- who was already facing a misdemeanor DWI charge and traffic tickets -- was also charged with unauthorized use of a computer and obstructing governmental administration, both misdemeanors.

Piel was then moved away from the computer, but he became "upset and took his costume back off," Pero said. He was given an appearance ticket and released without bail.

Piel was one of 37 people arrested over the weekend on charges of drunken driving or driving under the influence of drugs, officials said.

The local saga of the Breathalyzer costume also has a national twist.

Lt. Pero said he got a call Monday from truTv (the former Court TV), concerning an Oxford, Ohio teen who was arrested around the same time, 1:30 a.m.. Sunday, while also dressed as a Breathalyzer.

James Miller, 18, was driving the wrong way on a one-way street, police said. His blood-alcohol level registered at nearly two times the legal limit. And to make matters worse, police said they found multiple Ohio IDs in his wallet.

It could be the Breathalyzer costume was the hot item this Halloween, Pero speculated.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Vernon man charged with DWI after Thruway accident

Via MattarMedia VERONA - A 39-year-old Vernon man was charged with drunken driving Saturday following an accident on the New York State Thruway, according to state troopers in Syracuse.

Frank Molnar, of Beaver Meadow Road, was arrested on the DWI charge after his vehicle left the roadway and struck a guiderail, troopers said.

Molnar’s blood alcohol content level was found to be 0.10 percent, troopers said. He was released on a ticket to appear in Verona Town Court on Tuesday.

Oriskany man faces DWI charge after driving into ditch

Via MattarMedia ORISKANY - An Oriskany man was charged with driving while intoxicated after driving his vehicle into a ditch Saturday night, according to the Whitestown Police Department.

Michael Diskin, 51, was driving on Route 69 when he attempted to make a left hand turn and drove his 2005 Chevy Impala into the ditch, police said.

After failing multiple sobriety tests, Diskin's blood alcohol content was measured at 0.15 percent, police said. In New York, 0.08 percent is considered driving while intoxicated.

Diskin also faces additional vehicle and traffic charges. He will answer the charges in Whitestown Town Court at a later date, police said.

Friday, October 30, 2009

William K. Mattar, P.C. is Expanding its Williamsville Office

Via MattarMedia Buffalo, New York – The Law Offices of William Mattar announced that they have begun construction to expand their Williamsville office by an additional 4000 square feet in order to meet the growing needs of their clients.

“Our focus on motor vehicle accidents gives us great expertise in this area. Expanding the firm will allow us the opportunity to keep our clients the first priority; helping more people to achieve a maximized result from their injury,” explains attorney William K. Mattar.

The firm opened for business in 1990 and has continued to develop its client base. This recent expansion positions the Law Offices of William Mattar for continued growth and the ability to serve more clients.

With offices in Williamsville and Rochester, William Mattar Law Offices is committed to helping those who are injured in motor vehicle accidents. To learn more about William K. Mattar, P.C., visit www.mattar.com.

4 injured in New Hartford crash

Via MattarMedia NEW HARTFORD - Four people were injured Thursday in a two-car accident in front of Bremer’s Wine & Liquors on Commercial Drive, the New Hartford Police Department said.

Maria Trainor, 54, of New Hartford was turning left from Commercial Drive into the Bremer’s parking lot at about 6:20 p.m. Thursday when her vehicle was struck by an eastbound vehicle driven by 34-year-old Stacy Slattery of Yorkville, police said.

Trainor sustained a laceration to her head during the accident, and Slattery complained of neck and back pain. Slattery’s two daughters, who were passengers in her vehicle, complained of chest pain, police said.

All four were treated at the scene and transported to Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare’s St. Luke’s campus for further treatment, police said.

Both drivers were ticketed after the accident: Trainor for failure to yield the right of way when making a left turn and Slattery for driving with an expired license, police said.

Two lanes of Commercial Drive were closed for about 45 minutes as the scene was investigated and crews cleaned up fluid that leaked from the two damaged vehicles, police said.

Teen faces DWI charge after crashing stolen car

Via MattarMedia NEW HARTFORD - A 17-year-old Utica youth was charged with driving while intoxicated early Wednesday after he was involved in a car accident using a stolen vehicle, New Hartford police said.

In addition to DWI, Colin Cha was charged with driving without a license, passing a red light, and leaving the scene of a property damage motor vehicle accident, Officer Matthew Sica said. He also was arrested for criminal possession of stolen property, a felony.

Police were called to the corner of Oneida Street and Kellogg Road about 1:49 a.m. Wednesday in response to a two-car accident, Sica said. While en route to the scene, police were advised that a male driver of one of the vehicles had fled on foot.

Responding officers checked the area and located Cha a short distance away, Sica said. Cha was later identified as the operator of the vehicle that was traveling south on Oneida Street when it passed through a red light and struck a vehicle driven by Sergey Zaishnikov, 22, of Utica, Sica said.

Cha did not own the vehicle he had been driving, Sica said, but further investigation revealed that the vehicle had been stolen from a Seward Avenue residence in Utica over night.

Cha was arraigned in New Hartford Town Court and sent to the Oneida County jail on bail, Sica said. He is due to return to court at a later date.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Lee accident sends 2 to hospital

Via MattarMedia - LEE, N.Y. (WKTV) - Two drivers are sent to the hospital after a crash in the town of Lee.

Authorities say Patrick Tebo was driving on Route 69 Wednesday night and went to make a left turn into a store parking lot. They say he was hit from behind by Edward Snow.

Emergency crews rushed both to area hospitals with minor injuries. Firefighters had to close the road for two hours to clean up the scene.

The investigation into the accident is continuing.

Man imprisoned in car crash death

Via MattarMedia - The man who lost control of his vehicle in March after drinking and driving, which led to his friend's death, was sentenced Wednesday to 3½ to 7 years in prison.

Michael S. McLevy, 23, of Parma was convicted earlier this month of criminally negligent homicide and second-degree vehicular manslaughter in the death of Anthony M. Mastrodonato, 23, of Spencerport in a one-car crash in Gates March 27.

Though McLevy was also convicted of driving while intoxicated and driving while ability impaired by a combination of alcohol and drugs, he was acquitted of driving while ability impaired by drugs. A Monroe County jury also acquitted him of second-degree manslaughter, the highest felony charge that had been filed by the prosecution.

McLevy was driving his car, with Mastrodonato as a passenger, at 2 a.m. when he lost control on Spencerport Road, near Marc-Mar Trail. The car was traveling at 83 mph when it hit a landscape embankment, flipped, landed on its roof and caught fire.

Before sentencing McLevy to the maximum, Judge Patricia D. Marks listened to Mastrodonato's sister speak on behalf of his family and to a letter written by Mastrodonato's mother and read by Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles. Both stated that McLevy's actions that night destroyed the family.

"When Anthony died, I lost more than my baby brother, I lost my best friend," said his sister, Gina Mastrodonato, 26.

McLevy also wrote a letter that his attorney, Mark Young, read before the sentencing.

McLevy said in his letter that he lost his best friend in that accident and that every morning he wakes up he feels "awful."

"I truly miss my best friend," McLevy's letter read. He added that in August he and his girlfriend had a baby and they named him Christian Anthony McLevy, in honor of Mastrodonato.

Stop-DWI crackdown across New York

Via MattarMedia - BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - This week marks the sixth of seven STOP-DWI crackdown periods across the state for this year.

During the enforcement wave, local law enforcement agencies statewide will be out in force, utilizing sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, to deter drunk driving and ensure the safety of our roadways.

Motorists are reminded that driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher will put them over the limit and under arrest.

STOP-DWI, or "Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated," is a comprehensive and financially self-sustaining highway safety program.

All 62 counties in New York are participating in the program, which allows each county to establish a STOP-DWI Program that qualifies for the return of all fines collected for alcohol and other drug-related traffic offenses occurring within its jurisdiction.

The other STOP-DWI crackdown periods are: January 26th - February 2nd, Superbowl Sunday; March 9th - March 17th, St. Patrick's Day; May 21st - May 25th, Memorial Day; June 21st - July 5th,Fourth of July; August 21st - September 7th - National Over the Limit-Under Arrest Enforcement; November 20th - January 2nd, Holiday Season.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Pilots Who Forgot to Land No Longer Allowed to Fly

Via MattarMedia - The Northwest Airlines pilots who failed to respond to air-traffic controllers for 90 minutes, missed their destination by 120 miles, and claimed they had "lost track of time" while using their laptops, have been stripped of their licenses by the FAA.

The pilots were said to have broken several federal regulations. The report didn't say which ones, but most likely the ones that say pilots are supposed to respond to air-traffic controllers, land when they are supposed to land, and just generally fly the plane rather than messing around on their laptops.

I'm paraphrasing.

"Shouldn't we land?" "No . . . That's just what they'll be expecting us to do." The pilots told the NTSB that they had been using their laptops to practice using new scheduling software that is being phased in by Northwest. Since these guys are in their mid-50s, they probably were not caught up in World of Warcraft or something like that, but there is still something odd about the software-practice excuse. Even if a plane is on autopilot, 90 minutes seems like an awfully long time to stare into a laptop with that kind of single-minded concentration WHILE YOU HAPPEN TO BE IN CHARGE OF AN AIRPLANE.

According to the NYT report, the men admitted that during the 90 minutes in question, "they heard voices on their cockpit radio, but ignored them." Attention, Northwest Airlines: if your scheduling software is really so complicated that it could cause two pilots to ignore the increasingly concerned voices of a dozen different air-traffic controllers for an hour and a half, you need new software.

Sleep deprived drivers take big risk

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Experts have a warning that getting behind the wheel when you are sleep deprived can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving.

Accidents are often caused by drunk driving, but they may just as easily be due to drowsy driving.

One person said, "I fell asleep and rolled the car over. I didn't even realize I was falling asleep."

That happens frequently.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving causes about a 100,000 crashes each year, about 1,050 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in damage.

There's an easy way to prevent that.

Dr. Jonathan Edelson of Sisters Hospital said, "It's pretty simple. When you're tired, you don't get behind the wheel or you pull over, close your eyes until you're awake enough to continue driving."

Dr. Edelson is a sleep medicine specialist.

He's seen many patients who had drowsy-driving accidents.

It's estimated that about half of all drivers have experienced drowsiness and there's no substitute for the sleep that you need.

"If you feel like you're falling asleep, open windows in the car, run the air conditioner full blast," Dr. Edelson said.

Being sleep-deprived for 20 hours carries the same risk as having a blood alcohol level that would be legally intoxicated.

One thing you can do if you're tired behind the wheel is stop for a cup of coffee.

That won't help if you're drunk, but it will make you more alert if you're drowsy.

"If the caffeine gives you a little burst of energy that you feel like you're awake enough to drive, you're not having head-bobs behind the wheel, then continue," Dr. Edelson stated.

But if it doesn't help, you need a nap.

"You know, if you feel like you're sleepy, then you are sleepy. There's no denying it, and that's when you should pull over and close your eyes. Pull over in a safe area," explained Dr. Edelson.

Would You Do This To Prevent A Burglar From Entering Your Home?

Via MattarMedia - Sure, you might wield a gun. You might scream. How about barking like a dog? From The Athens Banner-Herald:

A Simmons Street woman scared off a would-be burglar about 11 p.m. Saturday by acting like a dog, an Athens-Clarke police report said.

When a suspicious man tried turning the woman's door knob, she got on the floor and began scratching at the door and acting like a large dog, police said, though what dog-like behaviors she specifically mimicked remains unknown.

Talk about thinking on your feet (all four of them) ...

The man, who wore an olive jacket and appeared to be homeless, quickly ran from the porch, according to the report. Police searched the neighborhood for him, but to no avail.

Who needs a dog when you can just imitate one? (Dog people - please - no hate mail!)

Watertown Man Charged with Allegedly Leading Police on High Speed Chase

Via MattarMedia - Jefferson County Sheriff's Office arrested Kavon M. Mason, 21, around 10:25 AM on October 26 for unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree.

Mason was wanted for questioning by Watertown City Police after he allegedly pointed a gun at his brother during a domestic incident which occurred earlier at 326 High Street in Watertown.

Sheriff's Deputies saw a red Chevy Monte Carlo at the Nice n' Easy on US Route 11, which belonged to Mason.

He was approached by authorities, but took off and led police on a chase into the Town of LeRay along US Route 11.

Mason was additionally charged with reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, speeding 85 MPH in a 55 MPH zone and 13 other various traffic infractions.

He was arraigned by Judge Parker in the Village of Glen Park and held on $2,500 cash bail, $5,000 bond.

Assisting the Sheriff's Office was the New York State Police and the Watertown City Police.

Watertown Police also have charges pending and recovered a 9 MM handgun in the area of pursuit.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Your text messages may be used against you...

Via MattarMedia ...if you're one of the world's dumbest criminals...

Nicholas Greenly dropped his cell phone near where an 84-year-old woman had her purse snatched in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Cops suspected that he might be involved in the crime when they read the phone's last outgoing text message: "I am ready to grab some old lady's purse."

Canastota woman seriously injured in Kirkland accident

Via MattarMedia KIRKLAND - One woman was seriously injured and another received minor injuries Monday after a four-car accident at the intersection of Route 12B and Roberts Road, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office said.

19-year-old Elizabeth Quell of Canastota suffered multiple life-threatening injuries after her vehicle was struck by two others during the accident, deputies said.

State police and sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene at about 5:30 p.m. and found Quell trapped inside her vehicle, which had come to rest in a ditch along the west side of the road.

The other vehicles involved in the accident included a Subaru and an SUV, which remained in the roadway after 6 p.m.

Broken glass and other debris from the accident filled the roadway around them.

Quell remained trapped for more than 40 minutes while emergency personnel from the Clinton Fire Department used hydraulic equipment to extricate her. She later was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica and then to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, deputies said.

Another driver involved in the accident, 33-year-old Angela Eastman of Deansboro, also was taken to St. Elizabeth with non-life threatening injuries. Passengers in the other vehicles were not injured, deputies said.

Deputies said the accident occurred when Quell’s vehicle was struck from behind by a second vehicle drive by 34-year-old James Brubaker of Waterville.

Quell had been stopped in the northbound lane of Route 12B at the time, but the force of the collision pushed Quell’s vehicle into the oncoming lane where it was struck broadside by Eastman’s vehicle. That vehicle then was struck from behind by a fourth vehicle driven by 38-year-old Timothy Jordan of West Edmeston, deputies said.

The accident remains under investigation, but Brubaker was issued a summons for following to closely, deputies said.

Members of the Sheriff’s Office’s criminal investigation, forensic and accident reconstruction units assisted at the scene, as did the state Department of Transportation.

Officers used spotlights from a Clinton Fire Department vehicle to illuminate the scene as the sun set at about 6:30 p.m. Deputies could be seen inspecting the vehicles with flashlights and photographing the scene. Two men who appeared to have been involved in the crash were talking to officers nearby.

Route 12B was closed in both directions for several hours as a result of the accident.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Nine-year-old injured in school van accident

Via MattarMedia - A nine-year-old boy suffered minor injuries this morning after a van crashed into his school bus. It happened on Main Street and County Road 132 in Willard, Seneca County.

A South Seneca school van was going east on Main Street when another vehicle came up the intersection and pulled out in front of the van after stopping at a stop sign.

There was only one student on board, a nine year old boy, who was treated at the scene for minor injures and then transported to Cayuga Medical Center.

The driver of the van and car were not injured. The driver of the car was ticketed for failing to yield after stopping at a stop sign.
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