Cop Responding to City Shooting Flips Car in 4-Car Crash

Via MattarMedia - A Rochester police officer is recovering Wednesday after flipping his cruiser in a 4 car crash.

He was responding to a shooting on Grace Street just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. When he crossed through the intersection of Portland Ave and Draper Street, a car smashed into the cruiser. That sent the cruiser spinning and it hit a third car and flipped over. A fourth car was hit. All four cars were damaged.

The officer was taken to Strong Hospital for back pain. The other three drivers were taken to Rochester General Hospital. All are expected to be okay.

Drunk driver slams into school bus

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo Police say a drunk driver slammed into a school bus at East Ferry and Stevens Avenue.

Three people were injured. No children were on the bus. The accused driver's name has not been released.

Dispute Between Drivers Ends in Car Crash

Via MattarMedia - Rochester police say a dispute between two drivers ended when one of the vehicles flipped over.

Officers responded to a crash at Remington Street and Avenue A shortly after noon Sunday.

Police said the drivers were involved in some sort of fight when one of the drivers swerved at the other, causing the car to hit a curb and flip over.

A young child, who was in the car that flipped, was taken to Strong Hospital as a precaution; the child was checked out and is fine.

Police are still determining if charges will be filed.

Racing driver flips car in Columbia County

Via MattarMedia CLAVERACK - One of two drivers racing on State Route 217 in Claverack flipped a car Saturday morning, according to state police.

The accident happened at about 11:50 a.m.

The driver of a 1994 Ford Mustang - Jeromy Jennings, 25, of Philmont - lost control of his car and flipped over, landing in a ditch, police said.

He was airlifted to Albany Medical Center with chest injuries.

His passenger - Melissa Hally, 29, of Saugerties - was brought to Columbia Memorial Hospital with possible neck injures.

Police are still looking for the driver of the other car - said to be a white Corvette, according to witness reports.

More questions raised over Prius accident

Via MattarMedia WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. - It's the wrecked 2005 Toyota Prius that Toyota has been waiting to get its hands on.

Under tents and hooked to machines in a parking lot behind the Harrison Police Department, investigators from the company got their first look. It was last week when police say the car's driver told them she crashed into a wall after the car accelerated all by itself.

“If it is a problem with the car we want to find it and fix it,” said Wade Hoyt, Toyota Northeast Public Affairs Director.

Toyota spokesman Wade Hoyt says technicians were able to recover information from the car's data recorder. Hoyt says from that data, technicians should be able to find out how fast the car was going at impact and if either the accelerator or brakes were pushed.

“If everything in the car is working correctly, the brakes will override the engine, in cars that have a brake override feature it will do it automatically,” said Hoyt.

Police said last week’s driver error did not appear to cause the accident, but Wednesday stepped back a bit saying investigators had not ruled any cause out. Hoyt says Toyota remains confident it is not an electrical problem and Acting Police Chief Anthony Marraccinni says the recovered data may not fill in all the blanks.

“I am not sure we are going to have conclusive information as to what caused this accident,” said Police Chief Anthony Marraccinni.

Marraccinni says it will take some time to go over the data and the department has hired independent forensic technicians to help investigators understand the collected information.

Cop Car Flipped After Chase Involving Alleged Drugged Driver

Via MattarMedia - In Warren County, a sheriff's deputy escapes serious injury after his vehicle flips over after a chase with an alleged drugged driver. Tonight, that driver faces multiple charges including felony DWAI. Police say you should be just as concerned about drugged drivers as drunk drivers out on the road.

The windshield and headlight are smashed, the roof is dented after a Warren County Sheriff's vehicle flipped after a chase with an alleged drugged driver. Police say 38-year-old Brett Johnson had been drinking and smoking pot and led them on that chase. Police say lately, they have seen an increase in drugged drivers. Warren County Sheriff Bud York says, "we are seeing more prescription pills. A lot of people borrowing, stealing them and taking them and driving."

Another driver was allegedly under the influence of drugs and charged with DWAI in a Colonie crash just last weekend. That crash was fatal, killing another driver. Lynda Rose, the Clinical Supervisor for Outpatient Treatment at the Addiction Care Center of Albany says, "its a misfortune to the community that they are out there and that's why we are here."

At the Addiction Care Center of Albany, they're seeing a larger number of drug addicted patients. They say a drugged driver is just as dangerous as a drunk driver.
Rose says, "could be heightened awareness, lowered awareness, going into a seizure, convulsion. Depends on what they are on and how they are taking it and how often."

Johnson faces multiple charges in both Glens Falls where the chase began at a traffic stop, and with the Warren County Sheriff's Department. Those charges include Felony DWAI, resisting arrest, Reckless Endangerment, and unlawfully fleeing a police officer. Police say this isn't Johnson's first offense, but think it should be the last time he is behind the wheel.

Sheriff York says, "its a privilege to drive not a right. And if you're going to drink or do drugs and drive, you could hurt someone. You shouldn't be driving."

Car winds up on its roof after accident

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - We're waiting for information about a crash along Route 5 in Buffalo Sunday afternoon.

These pictures show emergency crews at the scene on Route 5 near the Ohio Street exit. A white Pontiac ended up on its roof. There are no official reports of injuries or charges so far.

New Campaign Tells People That 'No Text Is Worth Dying Over'

Via MattarMedia and Advertising Age Magazine - Texting and driving can have serious consequences. That's the message of a new campaign being rolled out by AT&T this week that says, "Txting & Drivng ... It Can Wait."

The national effort, by BBDO, New York, and BBDO, Atlanta, seeks to raise awareness, especially among younger drivers, about the risks of texting and driving. Ads show true stories about texting that changed or ended people's lives. For example, one TV spot shows the text "Where u at?" while a woman says, "This is the text my daughter was reading when she drove into oncoming traffic," along with the message: "No text is worth dying over."

"We explored several campaign concepts, but we didn't have our 'aha' moment until we asked one of our focus groups to take out their devices and read the last text they received," said Cathy Coughlin, senior exec VP-global marketing officer for AT&T, in announcing the effort. "When we asked if that particular message was worth the potential risk of reading while driving at 65 mph, you could have heard a pin drop. That's when we realized the message 'it can wait' was effective in educating consumers about the dangers of texting while driving."

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Toyota Prius Crash in Westchester

Via MattarMedia and MYFOXNY.COM - A woman crashed her Toyota Prius into a stone wall in Westchester County Tuesday morning, police said. Investigators said the 2005 Prius hit the heavy stone wall in Harrison that it also barreled right through.

Police said it all began when the 56-year-old woman was coming out of a winding driveway and then lost control. The driver told cops that the car suddenly accelerated and would not stop even though she slammed on the brakes. She was hurt, but luckily her injuries were not life-threatening.

Right now, there is no way to know for sure what went wrong. That will be up to federal agencies. Although this particular car was part of Toyota's floor mat recall, detectives said the floor mat had nothing to do with this case.

Toyota issued a statement about the crash: "Toyota is committed to investigating reports of sudden acceleration involving our vehicles. It's not appropriate for us to comment on specific reports whose causes are under investigation or have not been verified."

Police investigate accident involving stolen car, Albany police car

Via MattarMedia ALBANY - Police are investigating an accident involving a stolen car and a city police vehicle that occurred Thursday evening on North Lake Ave.

According to Albany public safety spokesperson Det. James Miller, a plainclothes police officer spotted a stolen Toyota just south of Central Ave. at about 5:15 p.m. and called for marked police units to pull over the stolen vehicle.

When police cars arrived and attempted to pull over the car, the driver, later identified as 18-year-old Dario Lewis, jumped out of the car and started running, said Det. Miller. The stolen car, meanwhile, continued to travel about 40 feet and struck a patrol car.

Both cars were slightly damaged in the accident.

Lewis was caught by police officers after a short chase. Charges are pending against him, including criminal possession of stolen property and reckless endangerment.

The investigation is continuing, said Det. Miller.

Couple Aids Woman in Car Accident

Via MattarMedia - Hamburg, NY - Stacey MacLaren is recovering from a car accident last Friday.
The terrifying experience also left her inspired by the kindness of a couple she'd never met. "She had such a soothing voice," MacLaren said of the woman.

MacLaren was headed west on the I-90, on her way to pick up her son from pre-school. Her other son, Owen, just 16 months old, was strapped in the passenger seat.

In an instant, her plans changed. "The SUV in front of us went out of control, hit the cement barrier, and started rolling towards us," MacLaren recalled.

She avoided hitting the SUV, but the car behind her slammed into her car.

Still recovering from a previous back surgery, MacLaren was in tremendous pain and could barely move.

That's when she says out of nowhere, a man and woman stopped. She says the pair spent at least 45 minutes tending to her injuries and calming her baby. They even called her husband and sister-in-law to relay instructions. "They don't know me, you know, I'm not a relative of theirs, I'm not a friend, it was just something they were doing," MacLaren said. "They were good people."

Good people that made an impact stronger than a collision-and that's why she's trying to find them. The last time she saw them, Stacey was on a stretcher. "I touched her hand and I said, 'are you an EMT?'" she recalled. "And she said, 'No, honey. We just stopped to help.'"

Four Car Accident Sends Two to ECMC

Via MattarMedia ELMA - Two men were stuck while refueling their vehicle Saturday on Transit Rd. in the Town of Elma.

Kristen Baschmann of East Aurora was driving northbound on Transit Rd. when she was unable to stop and slid into another car. After the initial hit, Baschmann's car continued into the center lane and struck a disabled Ford Ranger, along with the two pedestrians who were re-fueling their vehicle.

Baschmann's car finally came to a rest after striking the a vehicle that was assisting the vehicle that was refueling.

Andrew Bamberd and Shawn Miller, both 27, were taken to ECMC and are listed in stable but guarded condition.

The accident is still under investigation by the Erie County Sheriff's Accident Investigation Unit and charges may be pending.

Source: wgrz.com

Find Out Why We are Giving Away a FREE Laptop!

Via MattarMedia - At the Law Offices of William Mattar, we see the aftermath of motor vehicle accidents every day. Many tragedies and serious injuries can be limited, or eliminated altogether, by wearing a seatbelt.

This video, Embrace Life, is a wonderfully produced film highlighting the importance of wearing a seatbelt. It will only take a minute and a half of your day, but it will stay with you much longer.

To keep awareness on seatbelt safety, our firm has the William Mattar Buckle Your Belt Campaign. How does it work? If you agree to wear your seatbelt 100% of the time while traveling in a motor vehicle, you can enter to win a FREE laptop computer. Simply go to mattar.com to learn more.

*Contest open to residents of New York State. For complete Terms & Conditions, click here.

WNY man dies in car crash as police pull him over

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO - A 57-year-old man died when he crashed into a utility pole as police tried to pull him over in Buffalo.

Buffalo Police say officers started following the car driven by Richard Bedell of North Tonawanda around 2:15 a.m. Monday. After several blocks, the car smashed into a utility pole.

Police spokesman Michael DeGeorge said it wasn't a chase.

Buckle Your Belt! You Might Win a FREE Laptop Computer

Via MattarMedia - Riding in a car or truck can be dangerous. If you get into an auto accident, wearing a seatbelt may help save you from serious injury, possibly even death. That is why our firm has the William Mattar Buckle Your Belt Campaign, which encourages those driving or riding in vehicles to buckle their seatbelts.

If you agree to wear your seatbelt 100% of the time while traveling in a motor vehicle, you can register in the William Mattar Buckle Your Belt Campaign and be eligible to win a laptop computer. To read more about seatbelt safety and register in the William Mattar Buckle Your Belt Campaign, go to mattar.com.

*Contest open to New York state residents only. For complete Terms & Conditions click here.

One hurt in rollover crash

Via MattarMedia MANLIUS, N.Y. - Crews are on the scene of a serious accident in Manlius. It happened at about 7:30 Thursday morning at the intersection of Route 92 and Oran Delphi road.

We're told one person involved in the accident suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized.

Car Crash Leads to Unusual Arrest

Via MattarMedia - A car crash on Monday on Rochester's north side has resulted in an unusual arrest.

Two days prior, 45-year-old Luevirgia Jones-Wright allegedly lied to police, and told them that her car, that she just bought, had been stolen.

Jones-Wright said she was in Greece when a man knocked her to the ground, kicked her in the stomach, and drove off with her new purchase, a 2002 Cadillac Deville. According to the Greece Police Department, officers activated the GPS system, and reported it stolen.

On Monday, the car was located in Rochester, and the suspects in the car fled when police tried to pull the car over. That led to a crash on Joseph Avenue.

After investigating, police found out that the suspects had permission to drive the car from Jones-Wright's husband, and the car was never in fact stolen. Police said Jones-Wright later admitted that the robbery never happened.

Jones-Wright is charged with falsely reporting an incident. She's supposed to appear in court in Greece on February 24th.

Driver of Stolen Car Causes Four-Vehicle Crash

Via MattarMedia - Rochester police responded to a call of a stolen vehicle in the city Monday afternoon. That call turned into a four-vehicle crash.

Police said they responded to a call from a man who said he was watching his stolen car on a GPS system.

Police said the vehicle traveled down North Clinton Avenue and onto Joseph Avenue, where it caused a crash between an RTS bus, a UPS truck and another car.

Police said the driver and passenger of the alleged stolen car fled after the accident, but police caught and arrested them.

Police said no one in any of the vehicles was injured.

Authorities also said they are working with the Greece Police Department because they believe the vehicle is part of another crime that occurred there.

Government Reports Toyota Fatal Accident Complaints Rise

Via MattarMedia - Federal agencies are seeing a sudden spike in the number of fatal accident complaints linked to Toyota vehicles.

The Detroit News cites the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in reporting the total number of alleged deaths since the year 2000 related to claims of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles has reached 34. The increase has occurred since the automaker began recalling millions of vehicles.

A congressional committee investigating the Toyota recalls says the 34 alleged deaths are more than all other manufacturers combined when it comes to accidents involving unintended acceleration.

Toyota recalled 5.4 million vehicles in the U.S. because gas pedals could become trapped by improperly installed floormats. Another 2.3 million vehicles have been recalled for potentially balky pedal assemblies. Toyota has also recalled 437,000 Prius vehicles and other hybrid models due to braking concerns.

Toyota says it will review the new reports.

"We take all customer reports seriously and will, of course, look into new claims," said Toyota spokesperson Martha Voss.

Teen Charged with DWI in Henrietta Crash

Via MattarMedia - Monroe County Sheriff's deputies charged a Rush teen with drunk driving after crashing into a utility pole early Thursday morning.

Deputies said Amanda Edd, 18, drifted off of West Henrietta Road just before 3 a.m. The vehicle went into and out of a drainage culvert and went airborne, striking a tree and utility pole.

The fire department had to cut Edd out of her vehicle.

She was taken to Strong Hospital with what the hospital describes as non-life-threatening injuries.