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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.