accident

A motorcycle operator sustained life-threatening injuries, according to Genesee County Sheriff's Office, when his bike collided with a van making a left-hand turn Thursday evening on West Main Street Road, Batavia.

The rider has been identified as Gilberto N. Natal, 34, of Batavia.

He was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Bruce P. Chilson, 80, the driver of the van, and his passenger, Mary Chilson, 80, both of Spring Hill, Florida, were treated at the scene by Mercy medics and transported to UMMC for evaluation of minor injuries.

The force of collision between the van and the motorcycle caused the 2019 Ford Transit to overturn and come to rest on its side.

Speed is believed to be a factor in the accident.

The location was 3872 West Main Street Road, Batavia, in front of Dave's Ice Cream. Chilson was making a left-hand turn into the ice cream shop's parking lot when it collided with the motorcycle.

The accident is being investigated by Deputy Mason Schultz, Deputy Nicholas Chamound, Deputy Alex Hadsall, Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, Investigator Chad Minuto, and Crash Management Deputy Richard Schildwaster. State Police assisted at the scene, along with Town of Batavia Fire, East Pembroke Fire, Mercy EMS and Mercy Flight.

Previously: Motorcycle accident reported on West Main Street Road, Batavia

Photos by Howard Owens

A motorcyclist is reportedly down in the roadway, not alert, in the area of 9583 Summit Street Road, just north of Black Street Road, in Pavilion.

Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

The caller reports the rider is conscious and breathing but not really alert.

Mercy Flight out of Buffalo is available.

UPDATE 9:05 p.m.: The driver is up and walking around according to a Le Roy responder on scene.  Mercy Flight not required. Le Roy Ambulance to handle the call. The Mercy EMS unit is back in service.

A car and motorcycle accident is reported in the area of 3872 West Main Street Road, Batavia, with possible serious injuries.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Mercy Flight #6 out of Olean is available if needed. Town of Batavia's chief has requested an in-air standby.

There are multiple calls.

UPDATE 5:26 p.m.: A first responder reports one vehicle on its side.  East Pembroke Fire asked to close eastbound traffic at Kelsey Road. Mercy Flight requested to the scene.

UPDATE 7:10 p.m.: The preliminary investigation indicates, said Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, that a motorcyclist was eastbound on West Main Street Road, possibly exceeding the speed limit, and struck the side of a van that had been westbound and was turning left into the parking lot of Dave's Ice Cream.  The motorcycle driver was ejected from the bike and into the van through a window. He sustained very serious injuries and was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. The force of the impact caused the van to flip on its side. The van was occupied by a husband and wife from Florida, both 80 years old. Neither sustained serious injuries.  Sanfratello said that while the investigation is early, it's possible both drivers will be cited, one for failing to yield and the other for speeding.

Photos by Howard Owens (we will have more photos from the scene once the names of those involved are released by the Sheriff's Office).

An SUV and semi-truck have reportedly collided in the area of 254 Broadway Road, Darien.

The location is between Countyline Road and Harlow Road.

Possible serious injury with entrapment.

Mercy Flight is on ground standby. 

Darien Fire, mutual aid from Corfu, and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 3:03 p.m.: When a first responder arrived on scene shortly after the accident was reported, the semi was off the road and the roadway was not blocked. The driver of the SUV was out of the vehicle and walking. The driver of the tractor-trailer was conscious and alert but trapped because the cab was up against a tree.  Alden was requested to respond to assist with extrication but then the scene commander said the driver could be extricated with just a ladder. Alden's ambulance requested to the scene. Mercy Flight not required.  The SUV driver is likely a signoff. The right saddle tank on the truck was ruptured, about 75 gallons. DEC arrived on scene at 3:19 p.m.

A farm truck has reportedly pulled down electrical wires in the area of 7850 Tesnow Road, Alabama.

A fire has started in an adjoining field.

The driver is trapped in the truck.

Alabama Fire dispatched along with mutual aid from Pembroke and Indian Falls.

Fire police requested to close traffic at Wright Road and Akron Road.

UPDATE 12:32 p.m.: National Grid arrived on scene about 15 minutes ago.

UPDATE 2:58 p.m.: According to a fire chief, there were no injuries to the driver and no damage to the truck or trailer. 

A motorcyclist reportedly struck a deer in the area of 4943 Paradise Road, Bethany, and sustained a possible broken leg.

Bethany Fire and ambulance responding.

The patient is conscious and alert with leg pain.

The roadway is not blocked.

UPDATE 7:35 a.m.: One patient transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy EMS.  Bethany Fire back in service.

A two-car accident is reported at Colby and Sumner roads, Darien.

Multiple injuries are reported.

Darien Fire, ambulance, Mercy EMS and Corfu Fire dispatched.

A two-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in the area of 3726 Pearl Street Road, Batavia.

There is no entrapment.

A truck is leaking fluids.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

State Police have identified the man killed in yesterday's motorcycle crash in Bethany as Nicholas Keiffer, 26, of Medina.

Troopers have released no further information about the crash.

According to statements by officials at the scene yesterday at Route 63 and Fargo Road, the motorcycle driver was on a "crotch rocket" and was observed speeding by a Genesee County deputy sheriff on Route 5, heading west. 

The officer attempted a traffic stop, Chief Deputy Joseph Graff said, but the rider failed to yield to an emergency vehicle. The pursuit continued to southbound Route 63, where the deputy lost sight of the bike and broke off his pursuit. 

The deputy continued southbound and within minutes spotted evidence of a crash and found the motorcycle behind a hedge row in a farm field off the east side of Fargo Road.

At the scene, tire ruts were clearly visible in the grass where the motorcycle left the roadway of Route 63 on the south shoulder and according to a statement by one of the investigators, likely went airborne when the bike hit the asphalt of Fargo Road.

According to scanner traffic during the incident, a deputy attempted CPR at the scene.  Keiffer was pronounced dead at the crash site.

Because the incident involved a deputy, the crash investigation was turned over to State Police.

Previously: Fatal motorcycle accident reported on Route 63 at Fargo Road

A motorcycle accident with injuries is reported at Route 63 and Fargo Road, Bethany.

The accident seems to have occurred moments after a deputy reported losing sight of a "crotch-rocket" that he had been pursuing. The deputy reported backing off the pursuit before the accident was discovered.

UPDATE 7:03 p.m.: Bethany Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.  Mercy Flight is on ground standby.

UPDATE 8:40 p.m.: Chief Deputy Joseph Graff confirmed that the motorcycle rider died at the scene. A deputy had spotted a motorcycle speeding westbound on Route 5, and attempted a traffic stop. The motorcyclist failed to yield to emergency lights. The deputy continued to follow the speeding bike southbound on Route 63 and lost sight of it shortly after. He discontinued the pursuit. A short time later, while continuing southbound, he came upon the accident scene.

Based on observations at the scene, the motorcycle left the roadway of Route 63 at Fargo Road, digging ruts in the grass before hitting the asphalt of Fargo Road, and becoming airborne. The motorcycle came to rest behind a hedge row in a field on the east side of Fargo Road. According to scanner reports, CPR was attempted. The accident scene investigation is being turned over to State Police.

Photo by Howard Owens.

Following a collision with a tractor-trailer, a car careened into the woods, according to at least one caller into emergency dispatch in the area of mile marker 380.1 in the eastbound lane of the Thruway.

Unknown injuries.

The location is four-tenths of a mile east of the West Bergen Road overpass.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 5:38 p.m.: A first responder reports, one vehicle to check out, no tractor-trailer involved.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Department is investigating a one-vehicle accident that occurred about 9:20 a.m. in the area of 3919 Lockport road in Elba. 

According to Deputy Robert Henning, the truck, from Buffalo Auto Auction, was heading west on Lockport road with a camping trailer in tow, when the driver says he swerved to avoid an animal in the roadway. The truck then went off the south shoulder of the road and struck a tree. The accident caused the camper to break apart and debris covered a wide area behind the truck. 

The male driver of the vehicle had to be extricated from the vehicle as there was entrapment and heavy damage to the front end of the truck after the collision with a tree. The driver was conscious and alert and suffered a serious injury to his lower body and legs. He was transported by Mercy Flight to ECMC with non-life-threatening injuries.

The roadway will remain closed for some time as the wreckage from the camper is cleared away and the truck is towed from the scene. 

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service

A motor vehicle accident with entrapment is reported in the area of 3919 Lockport Road, Elba.

One vehicle is off the roadway.

Elba Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched. Oakfield Fire and Town of Batavia Fire requested to assist.

Mercy Flight dispatched.

Lockport Road is closed between Fisher Road and Route 98.

A motor vehicle accident with injuries, and is blocking, is reported at 390 West Main St., Batavia, in front of Tops.

There are multiple calls.  Some are reporting one vehicle, some reporting multiple accidents at that location. 

City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:22 a.m.: There is entrapment.  Town of Batavia is requested to Station #1 to set up a landing zone for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 11:27 a.m.: Le Roy Ambulance Service also requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:37 a.m.: It appears that a Ford sedan was westbound on West Main Street and crossed over the center line at Lewiston at a potentially high rate of speed, and struck a white Jeep ahead of it at Lewiston and West Main streets. Heavy damage to both vehicles.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: State Police are investigating the accident and do not have enough information yet to say exactly what happened, Zone Sergeant Ben Fasano said. There were two people in each vehicle, all with serious injuries. Three people were transported by ground ambulance to Erie County Medical Center and one person by Mercy Flight to ECMC. One person had life-threatening injuries, and Fasano was uncertain which way -- by ground or Mercy Flight -- that person was transported.  Lewiston between West Main and Park Road is closed until further notice.

UPDATE 4:57 p.m.: Further information provided by Sgt. Fasano:

A preliminary investigation indicates the white vehicle was on SR-63 southbound, stopped at the light in the far left lane.  The black vehicle was eastbound on SR-5, crossed the center line, went across both westbound lanes of travel and struck the white vehicle.

None of the involved parties are considered to have life-threatening injuries.

An SUV going an estimated 70 to 80 mph on South Jackson Street at 2:01 a.m. struck a utility pole and continued westbound before hitting the front porch of a home and stopping.

At least two people, including, according to Sgt. Marc Lawrence, the driver, fled the scene on foot.

Lawrence said the driver is known to police and charges are pending.

The SUV struck the porch at 307 South Jackson, the residence of Rudo Mushonga, a registered nurse with the Community Health Center of Buffalo.

"I was in my house fast asleep and then I heard a bang, I mean a real big bang," Mushonga said. "So I got up and said, 'what's going on.'  I looked because my bedroom is right here (pointing to a second-floor window). I looked and I could see this trunk, this trunk right here (the bottom half of the telephone pole just a few yards from her house) and I thought, 'what another accident?' Because it has happened before. This little tree, the car kind of missed it and it went over there (into neighbor's yard).  But this time I didn't see this, because you can't see it from where I am.  So I got out, opened my front door ... "

"So I was worried," she added.  "Being a registered nurse, I'm worried about the people in the car. Do they need help? And the police officer said, 'no, they ran away.'"

As many as six people were in the vehicle. All were minors with the possible exception of the driver.  One person sustained minor injuries and was transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS for treatment and evaluation.  Some of the occupants remained on scene after the accident and were picked up by their parents.

Lawrence said that National Grid workers estimated the vehicle was doing from 70 to 80 mph based on the damage to the pole, which was sheared off at the base.

The vehicle was westbound on Chestnut when it continued onto South Jackson before striking the pole just a few yards from Jackson Street.

Mushonga said she bought her home about two years ago ("I've been here for two Christmases," she said). and loves her house and the neighborhood but there have been three similar accidents now right in front of her house.

Press release:

On Friday, June 24, 2022 at or about 2:02 a.m., Batavia Police Officers were dispatched to a car into a house in the area of South Jackson Street. Responding Officers, City of Batavia Fire Fighters, and neighbors quickly arrived on scene to assist with the investigation.

Initial reports from witnesses indicated four passengers including the driver fled on foot. Officers identified 4 other passengers who remained on scene (1 with minor injuries). Genesee County Sheriff's Office K9 - Rayzor and handler Deputy Stack were on duty and quickly responded to assist with a track of the individuals who fled on foot.

Through interviews, debris left at the scene and video surveillance, it is believed that the vehicle, a 2017 Toyota 4-Runner was operating at a high rate of speed eastbound on Chestnut Street. The vehicle failed to stop for the stop sign at the intersection of Chestnut St./Jackson St./S. Jackson St. subsequently failing to navigate the turn at the intersection.

The Toyota 4-Runner crossed into the westbound traffic lane on South Jackson Street striking the north curb, then a National Grid pole (shearing the pole in two spots), continuing over 100', finally coming to rest in the front porch of 305 S. Jackson Street.

The one minor injury was transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS. Additional passengers were transported to UMMC by private vehicles for evaluations.

After investigation, a total of eight occupants of the vehicle have been identified and the accident is still under investigation. Most occupants of the vehicle were minors including the alleged driver. Alcohol and marijuana are believed to be a contributing factors in the accident. Charges are pending.

The Batavia Police Department would like to thank the City of Batavia Fire Department, City of Batavia Department of Public Works, GCSO K9 Rayzor and handler Deputy Stack, and Mercy EMS for their assistance. We also greatly appreciate the citizens of Batavia who, without hesitation, became essential witnesses in this accident. Anyone with any further information is urged to contact Officer Girvin at the City of Batavia Police Department, 585-345-6350.

Reader-submitted video.  Photos by Howard Owens.

 

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department is investigating why a car went off the road in Pembroke and struck a parked van in the parking lot of 857 Main Road at about 5:46 p.m. on Thursday.

According to Pembroke Fire Chief Jamie Waff, the vehicle was traveling east on Main Road when it left the roadway and struck an employee’s van that was parked at the Kutter’s Cheese Factory Store.

The elderly male driver was extricated and was in and out of consciousness when he was transported by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center. Waff says he suffered life-threatening injuries. The elderly female passenger suffered serious non-life-threatening injuries and was also transported to ECMC by a second Mercy Flight helicopter.

The driver may have suffered a medical issue before the crash.

Pembroke and Indian Falls Fire along with Mercy EMS responded to the scene along with the Sheriff’s Department.

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

A single-vehicle accident is reported in the area of 78 Clay St., Le Roy.

The vehicle struck and sheared off a utility pole.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 4:34 p.m.: Route 5 is being closed at Clay Street.

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a two-vehicle accident that occurred on Rt.19 in the Town of LeRoy on Monday afternoon.

According to Sgt. Michael Lute, a white sedan was heading north on Rt. 19 and crossed over into the southbound lane, colliding with a red minivan that was traveling south at about 1:27 p.m.

The collision spun both vehicles around with the minivan going over the guard rail but staying upright.

The female driver of the white sedan suffered moderate injuries and was unconscious and breathing after the LeRoy and Pavilion Fire Departments responded to extricate the victim. She was transported to Strong Hospital by Mercy Flight Central. Her injuries are not life-threatening according to Sgt. Lute.

The driver of the minivan was also extricated and transported to Strong Hospital by ground ambulance. His injuries are not life-threatening. A female front seat passenger and two children in the van were signoffs and not injured.

At this time there are no charges as the accident is under investigation.

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

 

A motor vehicle accident with entrapment is reported at Route 19 and North Road, Le Roy.

Le Roy Fire with automatic mutual aid from Pavilion dispatched to the scene.  Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: Bergen Fire requested to Route 19 and Griswold for traffic control.

UPDATE 1:43 p.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene.

A woman is reporting trouble breathing after an automobile accident at Broadway Road and Harlow Road, Darien.

There are also two possible neck injuries and a possible rib injury.

The accident is not blocking.

Darien Fire and Darien ambulance dispatched.