Drunken driving suspected in Darien accident that kills Dansville girl

Posted by Howard Owens on August 15, 2009 - 10:00am
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An 18-year-old Dansville girl died last night in a three-car crash on Route 20 in Darien, and the 24-year-old driver who allegedly caused the crash has been charged with manslaughter.

He was allegedly driving drunk.

Katie M. Stanley, of 8956 McNair Road, Dansville, suffered head and chest injuries in the 11:08 p.m. accident.

Stanley was a passenger in a car that struck a truck making an allegedly illegal left-hand turn.

She was initially transported to UMMC and later transferred to Strong. Her time of death has not been reported.

According to a Sheriff's Office press release, a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup operated by Ronald Wendt II, 24, of 10448 Brookville Road, Alexander, was heading westbound on Route 20, just east of Harper Road. Wendt reportedly tried to make a left-hand turn into a parking area and allegedly failed to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic.

Wendt's truck was struck by a 1993 Toyota Camery driven by Rachel L. Enderle, 27, of 10281 Jacobs Road, Dansville. Wendt's truck then struck an unoccupied 2002 pickup truck.

The two other passengers in the Toyota were Timothy L. Enderle, 20, of 49 N. Meandowbrook , North Chili, and Gabrielle E. Mahus, 18, of 11493 Mendoleine Road, Dansville.

Mahus and Rachel Enderle were transported to Erie County Medical Center. It's unknown at this time what injuries Mahus sustained. Rachel suffer a lower leg/foot injury. Timothy Enderle was transported to UMMC with a hip injury. He was later transferred to Strong.

No injuries were reported for Wendt. Besides being charged with manslaughter, Wendt faces charges for allegedly driving with a BAC .08 or greater, driving without insurance, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninspected vehicle and failing to yield the right of way. His truck also allegedly did not have a front license plate. Additional charges may be pending.

Wendt was  arraigned in Darien Town Court and placed in the Genesee County Jail on $25,000 bail.

Assisting at the scene were the Darien Volunteer Fire Department, the Alexander Fire Department, Mercy Flight, the City of Batavia Ambulance Service and the Attica Police Department.

UPDATE Aug. 16, 8:51 a.m.: The Sheriff's office provided an amended report giving the age of Rachel L. Enderle as 27, not 17 as originally reported.

Posted by Ian Cromwell on August 15, 2009 - 10:43am
Wendt reportedly tried to make a left-hand turn into a parking area...

aka My Saloon parking lot
Posted by Howard Owens on August 15, 2009 - 10:55am

Here's Google Street view of Harper Road and Route 20 in Darien.


View Larger Map


Posted by Carol Moscicki on August 15, 2009 - 12:27pm
May God be with all families involved... I'm sure that justice (legally) will be served. Drinking and driving is a horrible thing and is painful when a precious young life is lost because of someone elses ignorance. I'll be praying for the Stanley family and those who knew her. God will keep her safe now.
Posted by John Woodworth JR on August 15, 2009 - 6:27pm
It is ashame that Mr. Wendt will learn of the consequences of drinking and driving the hard way or maybe he'll be like my fiancee's Uncle who doesn't remember and still doesn't believe he killed someone (arrogant A_ _H_ _ _). My condolences to the Stanley family and Carol stated it perfectly, "GOD will keep her safe."

The true sad part is, that others who drink & drive will see this and say,"It will never happen with me!"; "I am a safe driver when I am drunk!"; I can handle my alcohol!"; "I only have to travel a short distance!" etc..........
Posted by Paul Vanderwarker on August 16, 2009 - 3:39pm
I was raised on that section of Rt 20 between County Line Rd. where the accident took place. There have been dozens of accidents, almost all on Friday and Saturday Night, and at last count 6 DWI deaths over the last 50 years. All that in a 5 mile length of road. It's so strange how we handle DWI in the U.S. In many countries in Europe first time offenders get 2 years minimum; no parole no early release. Second time is 5 or more years third time is 20 years. Even Russia is cracking down. They still drink a lot but they don't drive drunk. Twenty years ago in Darien one of the Restaurant/Taverns acutally put in a breathalizer machine for their patrons! If the punishment is increased significantly and you take away their licence it will help stop the slaughter. And yes I do drink.
Posted by Gabor Deutsch on August 16, 2009 - 8:27pm
About DWI/DUI : I agree that it is wrong. If a death or injury occurs it should be treated accordingly. If you have an accident and were not drinking or druging you should be dealt with accordingly to the same rules. A vehicle is a weapon.
Posted by Peter O'Brien on August 17, 2009 - 7:40am
If a vehicle is a weapon, then so are my nail clippers.

Its not a weapon. Its a tool. Any object can be used to hurt someone. But if that is not its main use then defining it as such is dumb.