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Alabama

Car down an embankment, minor injury, on Lockport Road

By Howard B. Owens

A car has gone off the road and down an embankment in the area of Lockport and Lewiston roads in Alabama.

A minor injury is reported.

Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 7:31 a.m.: Thus far, first responders have been unable to locate the accident.  The 9-1-1 call did not provide automatic GPS data. A chief notes that there is also a Lockport Road and Lewiston Road intersection in Niagara County. It sounds like first responders have searched the area a good deal on Lockport and Lewiston on both sides of the road. The caller did state her car was "well down" the embankment.

UPDATE 7:35 a.m.: Another call has come in for an accident off of North Byron Road, and dispatchers think it may be the same accident with a more accurate location.

UPDATE 7:40 a.m.: The accident appears to be in the area of 7335 N. Byron Road. Note: Lockport Road becomes North Byron somewhere west of Route 98. Elba ambulance requested to the scene to check minor cuts on the driver's face.


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Blowing snow blamed for four-car accident on Route 77, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

Blowing snow and whiteout conditions are blamed for a four-car accident on Route 77, Alabama, at 7:09 a.m., Wednesday that injured only person, who did not require hospitalization.

Earl E. Howard Jr., 17, of Route 98, Attica, was southbound on Route 77 near Route 63 in blowing snow.

Jonathan R. Callard, 27, of Bates Road, Medina, also heading south, slowed down for a snowplow, which prompted Rebecca J. Lindsay, 24, of Telegraph Road, Medina, to reduce speed, too.

Because of the blowing snow, Howard reportedly did not see the cars ahead of him braking. His 1998 Chevy truck hit Lindsay's 2001 Ford sedan, causing it to strike Callard's 1995 Ford sedan.

Alyssa M. Dombrowski, 20, of South Avenue, Medina, was also southbound. Due to whiteout conditions, she reportedly did not see the accident and her 2000 Chevy sedan struck Howard's truck, causing it to strike Lindsay's car.

Lindsay suffered only a minor injury.

No citations were issued.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Lonnie Nati.

Alabama man's body found in car following fire

By Howard B. Owens

After extinguishing a car fire at 1364 Church St., Alabama, last night, volunteer firefighters made a sad discovery -- the body of the 60-year-old man who lived at that address was found in the car.

Sheriff's officials believe the car of Harry C. Kramer IV, became stuck in the snow as he was trying to pull out of his driveway. Kramer apparently suffered some sort of medical event that left him with his foot stuck on the accelerator. The engine then apparently overheated, starting the fire.

The car fire was called in at 9:55 p.m. and Alabama Fire was dispatched.

Kramer's body was found by firefighters in the driver's seat of the vehicle after the fire was put out.

The Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating Kramer's exact cause of death. Coroner Jack Taylor pronounced Kramer dead at the scene.

Woman struck by hit-and-run driver on Council House Road

By Howard B. Owens

A 46-year-old woman was taken by Mercy Flight this morning to ECMC after being struck by a hit-and-run driver on Council House Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

Sherri L. Abrams, a Skye Road resident, was walking eastbound when she was struck by an eastbound car driven by a person who fled the scene at 5:26 a.m.

No vehicle description was released.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Parked truck's headlights prevented driver from seeing pedestrians on Roberts Road

By Howard B. Owens

A driver said the headlights from a DEC truck parked on Roberts Road, Basom, prevented him from clearly seeing a group of people standing along the roadside about an hour after sunset yesterday leading to an accident that injured six men.

All six men were standing along the road. One of them was a Department of Environmental Conservation officer who was checking on hunting licenses.

Injured where:

  • Gary D. Olson, 52, of Avon. He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight.
  • David Swooper, 39, of Youngstown. He was transported to Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight.
  • Shawn C. Bailey, 22, of Lockport. He was transported to ECMC.
  • Charles R. Smith, 72, of Gasport. He was transported to ECMC.
  • Stephan C. Olay, 39, of Ransomville. He was transported to ECMC.
  • Patrick N. Green, 21, of Youngstown. He was transported to ECMC.

The driver, Erik Olsen, 55, of Roberts Road, Basom, was not injured.

Olsen was westbound on Roberts Road at 5:49 p.m. The DEC truck was parked facing east, in the westbound lane.

No citations were issued, according to the Sheriff's Office accident report, prepared by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Alabama Fire, Oakfield Ambulance, Mercy EMS and the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management assisted at the scene.

(Initial Report)

Multible ambulances, Mercy Flight respond to motor-vehicle accident on Roberts Road, Basom

By Howard B. Owens

Three ambulances have been requested to the scene of a motor-vehicle accident in the area of 1910 Roberts Road, Basom.

Mercy EMS and Oakfield's ambulance have been requested to the scene.

Mercy Flight is responding from Buffalo and Batavia.

Alabama Fire responding.

UPDATE 6:06 p.m.: First Mercy Flight ETA is four minutes. All victims are out of the vehicles. No extrication is required.

UPDATE 6:18 p.m.: One Mercy Flight is on the ground. The pilot of that of the first Mercy Flight has said a second landing zone needs to be established because Mercy Flight 7 sits closer to the ground and cannot land in the cornfield used for the first landing zone.

UPDATE 6:27 p.m.: Mercy Flight 7 on the ground.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: Mercy Flight 7 in the air. If the first Mercy Flight has left the scene, we missed the call.

UPDATE 6:46 p.m.: One flight headed to ECMC, the other to Strong.


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Truck reportedly on fire on Tonawanda reservation

By Howard B. Owens

A truck fire has been reported in the area of 271 Council House Road, Basom.

Alabama Fire is responding.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: An Akron firefighter on scene reports the truck is fully involved. He also says the correct address is 7003 Council House Road. An Alabama chief arriving on scene confirms the address.

UPDATE 5:02 p.m.: Alabama chief says units can respond non-emergency. The truck isn't near a building.

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: All Alabama units are clear.


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Police Beat: Oakfield man accused of shoplifting cigarettes

By Howard B. Owens

David Wayne King, 53, of Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. King is accused of shoplifting cigarettes from Jan's Smoke Shop on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

Andrew R. Osborne, 18, of Drake Street, Oakfield, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Osborne is accused of sending inappropriate pictures to a female victim.

Joshua Charles Brownell, 19, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with stalking, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Brownell is accused of blocking a road with his vehicle and then exiting his vehicle and threatening another person.

Patrick Raymond Krieger, 20, of Genesee Street Road, Corfu, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Krieger was approached at Kmart by Deputy Brian Thompson regarding alleged illegal tinting of his windows. During the interview, Thompson allegedly found Krieger to be in possession of marijuana.

Thomas William Glass, 37, of Steven Drive, Cheektowaga, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Deputy Brian Thompson stopped Glass in the Village of Corfu for an alleged traffic violation at 1:40 p.m., Tuesday. During the traffic stop, K-9 "Jay" alerted on the vehicle.

Douglas James Karek, 50, of Geary Street, Buffalo, was picked up on a warrant out of Erie County Family Court. Karek was identified during a traffic stop on Route 33 in Corfu (Karek was reportedly a passenger in the vehicle driven by Glass above).

Structure fire on Pine Street in Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A structure fire, believed to have begun in a bedroom, is reported at 7154 Pine St. in Oakfield. It's off of Maple Avenue, the last street coming out of the village.

Oakfield, Alabama and Elba fire units are called to respond.

UPDATE 12:56 a.m.: Firefighters are working on extricating people from the building.

UPDATE 12:58 a.m.: An investigator requested to the scene. At least one person is out of the building and requires medical attention.

UPDATE 1:06 a.m.: National Grid notified. No ETA.

UPDATE 1:24 a.m.: Fire's been knocked out.

UPDATE: Further updates on this fire will be available in the morning.

 


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Two people injured in accident on Reuben Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A driver who hit a car that stalled on Reuben Road, Alabama, after it ran out of gas, said that he looked down at his radio just before he came upon the car and didn't see it in time to stop.

Two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the accident.

Jason G. Moneau, 33, of Summit Street, Batavia, was driving a 1991 Dodge sedan at 10:02 p.m., Friday, when he hit a car which had pulled to the side of the road in the area of 7415 Reuben Road.

A passenger of the parked car, Mae E. Hryhorenko, 30, was transported to UMMC.

Moneau was transported by ground ambulance to Erie County Medical Center.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Jason Diehl.

A handwritten note on the investigation report says, "traffic charges are pending."

Accident with injuries reported in Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A two car accident with injuries is reported in the area of 7415 Reuben Road, Alabama.

Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS being dispatched.

UPDATE 10:14 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested to the scene.

Man says he was struck by a car near Bloomingdale Road

By Howard B. Owens

A man is reporting that he was struck by a car somewhere in the area of Martin Road and Bloomingdale Road, Alabama.

He says he's in a ditch, just came to and doesn't remember anything.

He is walking toward Western Doors store.

Law enforcement and Alabama Fire being dispatched.

UPDATE 10:45 p.m.: The accident may have happened in the area of 379 Martin Road. The man reportedly has a head injury. Mercy Flight is being put on stand by.

UPDATE 10:58 p.m.: Five minute ETA for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 11:09 p.m.: Mercy Flight on the ground.

UPDATE 11:21 p.m.: Mercy Flight in the air.


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Grand Jury Report: Man accused of having drugs for sale at College Village

By Howard B. Owens

We only recently received the October indictments from the Genesee County Grand Jury:

Charles J. Porreca is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, criminal possession of marijuana, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. On May 6, Porreca is accused of possessing marijuana while in a vehicle at 8123 Prole Road Extension. On the same date, he is accused of possessing psilocin and psilocybin contained in mushrooms with the intent to sell in a room at College Village. At the same address, he is accused of possessing more than two ounces of marijuana along with hydrocodone.

Robert Thigpen III, is charged with burglary, 1st, menacing, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Thigpen is accused of entering and remaining unlawfully in a dwelling at 111 State St., Apt. 3, Batavia, on Aug. 30, with intent to commit a crime. Allegedly, Thigpen used a knife to threaten another person. He is also accused of damaging a lock.

Amy L. Brown is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and eight counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st. Brown is accused of stealing from the Department of Labor from Sept. 21 through Nov. 16, 2008. She is accused of filing false records with the Department of Labor.

Robert J. Van Pelt is charged with vehicular assault, 1st, DWI and aggravated DWI. Van Pelt is accused of driving a motor vehicle on May 2, Sandhill Road, Town of Alabama, and causing another person to be injured. His BAC was allegedly above .18.

Christopher J. Matusak is charged with DWI as a felony, aggravated DWI, three counts of criminal mischief, 3rd, and three counts of reckless endangerment, 2nd. Matusak is accused of driving drunk on May 31 with a BAC of .18 or greater, and in Town of Le Roy damaging the property of another person. The property is described as a 2007 Hyundai, a 1998 Lincoln and a 1996 Cadillac. He is accused of intentionally striking the Cadillac, which allegedly had three passengers at the time.

Shannon V. Albano is charged with a felony count of DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Albano is accused of driving drunk on April 19 in the Town of Darien.

Autumn M. Connolly is charged with grand larceny third. Connolly is accused of stealing about $4,200 from a family member between March 27 and April 13.

'Car into tree' accident reported on Council House Road

By Howard B. Owens

A caller has reported finding a car that hit a tree and is now on its side in the area of 470 Council House Road.

The caller reports finding blood, but can't see any person around, at least not in the dark.

Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS being dispatched.

UPDATE 12:13 a.m.: Alabama chief reports no victim at the scene. He confirms, the car is on its side.


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Tree down on Knowlsville Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A tree and wires are down on Knowlsville Road just south of Lewiston Road in the Town of Alabama.

The tree is completely blocking the road.

Alabama Fire is being dispatched.

UPDATE 8:22 a.m.: Town highway workers are on scene. The line down is cable, not electrical. The road should be cleared shortly.


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Police Beat: Alabama man arrested on drugs and weapon charges

By Howard B. Owens

Terrance D. Bauer, 48, of Church Street, Alabama, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and criminal possession of marijuana, 5th. Bauer was taken into custody by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force following the execution of a search warrant at his residence on Oct.15. Bauer was allegedly found in possession of marijuana and a billy club, which he cannot legally possess. Bauer was released on his own recognizance following his arraignment in Town of Alabama Court.

Craig A. Tiberio, 21, of Lathrop Avenue, Le Roy, is charged with assault, 3rd. Tiberio is accused of getting into an argument at a residence on St. Mary's Street, Pavilion, and punching another person in the face causing physical injury.

Robert Adam Barnhart, 25, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Barnhart was arrested on a warrant out of Wyoming County.

Aaron John Gugel, 18, of Donahue Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. A K-9 handled by Deputy Brian Thompson reportedly alerted on Gugel's car, parked at 260 State Street.

Sharmice Shantell Gibson, 18, Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. A K-9 handled by Deputy Brian Thompson reportedly alerted on Gibson's car, parked at 260 State Street.

Police Beat: City officer makes DWI arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Michelle Richmond, 41, of 207 Washington Ave., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and speeding. Richmond was stopped at 2:52 a.m. on West Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Darryle Streeter.

William L. Verney, 29, of Alexander, is charged with conspiracy, 6th. Verney was arrested by State Police on Monday for an alleged incident reported on Oct. 10 on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. No further details were released.

Jeffery A. Fitzsimmons, 18, of Medina, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Fitzsimmons was arrested by State Police at 1:05 a.m., Saturday, on Route 63 in the Town of Alabama.

Harold Miles, 52, of Batavia, is charged with introduction of prison contraband, 2nd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Miles was arrested by State Police on Saturday for an alleged incident reported on Oct. 19. No further details were released.

Man accused of entering woman's home and hitting her

By Howard B. Owens

A woman claims that a man from Alabama entered her home without permission Tuesday and assaulted her and a friend.

Arrested and charged with burglary, 1st, was Glenn David Reuben, 47, of 7536 Sandhill Road, Alabama.

Reuben was jailed on $10,000 bail.

The woman, a Lockport Road resident, suffered a cut on her face that required stitches.

The alleged assault occurred at 10:30 a.m.

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