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Corfu teen dies in Orleans County crash Sunday night

By Howard B. Owens

For the second time in eight days, a motor vehicle accident has claimed the life of a Genesee County teen.

Kelsey Milks, 19, of Corfu, died Sunday night in a three-car accident on Alleghany Road, Town of Shelby, just north of the county line.

The cause of the accident has not been determined.

Milks was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 20-year-old Dana R. Cipra. Cipra is hospitalized at Erie County Medical Center.

Two Mercy Flight helicopters were called to the scene Sunday and Town of Alabama volunteer firefighters provided traffic control and set up a landing zone at a location in Genesee County.

According to WIVB, "a red minivan was traveling north on Route 63, near the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge Swamp, when it collided head-on with a southbound car. A third vehicle then collided with the car."

Walter C. Hawkins, 73, of Medina, was driving the minivan. He was treated and released at Medina Memorial Hospital.

The driver and passenger in the third vehicle were uninjured.

Milks was a senior at Pembroke High School when she participated in a GO ART! art show.

Kyle Couchman

My friend is a very close friend of this boy's father. The police have NOT determined a cause as of 12 noon. Believe me I heard over the phone what injuries that Dana suffered. I also heard details but out of respect for Howard's policies I will not be discussing them. The fact of the matter is TPHunt's comment is the very picture of arrogance and assumption.

Dec 17, 2012, 2:47pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

I have to admit, I have not always seen investigation findings released on the Batavian. Crane's accident is of interest to me because, of the facts I know. Even with those facts I can only assumed because, I do not have the full picture. I would like to know if, the police reviewed his cell phone records. This is of great importance especially when we know his car drifted into oncoming traffic and the other driver attempted to avoid Crane's car. If, my conclusion is correct then we need to release such information to inform other teens of this danger. If not, then my assumption was just that, an assumption.

My heart goes out to the Crane Family. As a single parent of three teenagers; two of which are drivers, I can understand their pain. It is my worst fear with my children. My oldest son took my new car to Cal-Mum and Chili the Friday before last and I found myself unable to sleep until he pulled into the driveway. Yes I worry about the car but, I am more worried about my children's inexperience in driving in low visibility and bad weather. This will be their first winter driving by themselves. I am nervous about them driving in snow. I have tens of thousands of hours of driving in bad weather (snow, rain, ice, high winds) but, I am still cautious with driving. I have seen what happens when you miscalculate weather conditions.

TP that stretch of road is also known to have wildlife crossing. It is possible something could run in front of them and they veer out of the way. A 19 years old driver is not what I would call an experience driver. Unless you know some facts we do not know. Without the full picture we can only assume. Otherwise we are the same as the media who broadcast assumptions rather than facts.

Dec 17, 2012, 9:46pm Permalink
Cindy Perry

tp hunt... I find your assumptions offensive. First of all, nobody even knows which car crossed over the center line. The driver of the van is 73 years old... Could have been some sort of health problem, not necessarily "distracted driving". Either one of them could have swerved to miss a deer, or fallen asleep... You don't know. To assume he must have been texting or fooling with his radio is arrogant. Try thinking of the feelings of friends and loved ones before you start spouting off about things you have no idea of knowing.

Dec 18, 2012, 12:38am Permalink

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