pembroke

A car / deer accident is reported on the westbound thruway at mile marker 403. Unknown injuries. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:12 p.m.: A chief on scene says fire and medics can stand down. Only law enforcement is needed at the scene (to dispatch the deer).

Sean M. Vickers is indicted by the Grand Jury and accused of a course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree, a Class B felony. He is an adult accused of engaging in two or more acts of sexual conduct, which allegedly included at least one act of deviate sexual intercourse with a child less than 13 years old. The alleged incidents occurred between Nov. 2, 2001 and April 16, 2002.

Joseph E. Marr is indicted by the Grand Jury and accused of driving while intoxicated, as a misdemeanor, and for allegedly driving a motor vehicle on Dec. 14 on Route 5 and/or Keeney Road in Le Roy while under the influence of alcohol. In count two of the indictment, he is accused of having a BAC of .08 or more at the time of the alleged incident. In count three, he is accused of knowingly and unlawfully introducing dangerous contraband into a detention facility or, being a person in jail, knowingly and unlawfully made, obtained or possessed dangerous contraband. In count four, he is accused of driving while impaired by drugs, as a misdemeanor, for allegedly driving a 2001 GMC on Jan. 1 on Route 5 in the Town of Pembroke while impaired by drugs. In counts five and six, respectively, Marr is accused of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, Class D felonies, for allegedly possessing a "black large capacity ammunition feeding device" as well as another such device that was clear/gray, also on Jan. 1 in the Town of Pembroke.

Carrie A. Stewart is indicted by the Grand Jury and accused of tampering with evidence, a Class E felony, on Nov. 15 in the Town of Alexander. It is alleged that Stewart "believing that certain evidence was about to be produced or used in an official proceeding or a propective official proceeding and intending to prevent such production or use, suppressed it by any act of concealment, alteration or destruction, or by employing force, intimidation or deception against any person." This count stems from Stewart allegedly stealing merchandise from Dollar General and then when confronted by management, "threw the merchandise in the Tonawanda Creek where it was carried away by the current." In count two, the defendant is accused of petit larceny for allegedly stealing five pairs of underwear, a hat, socks, gloves, a wallet, and thermal underwear.

Shannon G. Cook is indicted by the Grand Jury and accused of driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, for allegedly driving a 2002 Dodge pickup on Jan. 20 on Route 262 while under the influence of alcohol. In count two of the indictment, Cook is accused of having a BAC of .08 or greater at the time of the alleged incident.

Jesse M. Woods, 18, of Lake St., Le Roy, is charged with assault, 2nd. Woods allegedly fought with a person outside a residence on Myrtle Street, Village of Le Roy, and as a result the other person suffered serious injuries. Woods was jailed on $500 bail.

Matthew Brian Starowitz, 24, of Whitney Mill Road, Elba, is charged with criminally using drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of marijuana, 5th, and parking on a highway. Starowitz was allegedly found parked the wrong way on Whitney Mill Road at 3:06 a.m. by Deputy Frank Bordonaro.

Daniel Taylor Manhardt, 20, of Hopkins Road, Corfu, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Manhardt's vehicle was stopped for alleged equipment violations at 2:01 a.m. Thursday on Cleveland Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

A man complains of back pain after falling on the north side of the Indian Falls behind the Log Cabin Restaurant on Gilmore Road. He is said to be "struggling a bit" in the water, according to the caller, and fell at the bottom of the falls. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding and Mercy Flight is on standby.

UPDATE 8:39 p.m.: A rope rescue extrication team is called in. A responder on scene says it looks like a male and a female are in need of rescue. They are "in the middle of the flow" and it is pretty heavy. The extrication process is expected to be lengthy. Extrication will be made from the southside, where the creek water is moving slower, and the operations headquarters will be in the Log Cabin restaurant parking lot. "It looks likes there's one patient down there holding onto the rocks."

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: "The male is in the middle of the falls at the base and anyone coming in, I'd like to have water suits on." Law enforcement is called in. Another victim has fallen approximately 40 yards into the creek in a futile attempt to rescue the distressed parties. Now he is in need of rescue.

UPDATE 8:52 p.m.: Alden's Water Rope Rescue Team is called and is responding. The second victim at top of the falls is out, and both victims at the bottom of the falls are now upright.

UPDATE 8:56 p.m.: Emergency responders are staging in the restaurant parking lot at 1227 Gilmore Road, Corfu.

UPDATE 9:01 p.m.: Mercy Flight is called in.

UPDATE 9:17 p.m.: Alabama Fire Department Rescue is to handle the Mercy Flight staging, which will be at the Indian Falls Methodist Church, located at 7908 Alleghany Road, Corfu. The helicopter is to land in a grass field there.

UPDATE 9:32 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 10:09 p.m.: Those in need of rescue from the swift water of the falls are being brought up to within reach of the emergency crews. Pembroke went back in service at about 9:57 p.m.

UPDATE 10:15 p.m.: "The patient is topside."

UPDATE 10:32 p.m.: Alabama reports that Mercy Flight is in the air, heading to Erie County Medical Center.

UPDATE 10:36 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

UPDATE 10:46 p.m.: "...all equipment from down below is now topside." The remaining responders are picking up their gear and preparing to return to service.

UPDATE 11:05 p.m.: All responders are in service.

A Pembroke woman was pronounced dead at the scene of a head-on collision on Route 5 near the Erie County Line in Pembroke late this afternoon.

Mary J. Smith, 61, was westbound in a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier when a 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan crossed the center line and struck her vehicle head-on on the driver's side.

Investigators have yet to determine why the eastbound Toyota veered from its own lane.

The Toyota's driver, Victoria A. Zimmer, 55, of Clarence, was seriously injured and taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC.

Smith is a relative of several members of the Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department, so members of the Akron Volunteer Fire Department handled critical aspects of the accident scene.

No charges have been filed. The accident remains under investigation.

Assisting at the scene were Indian Falls, Corfu and Darien's ambulance along with Mercy EMS.

The accident investigation is being handled by Deputy Chad Minuto, Sgt. Ron Meides, Investigator Roger Stone and Deputy John Duyssen.

A head-on, two-car accident with multiple injuries is reported at 352 Main Road in the Town of Pembroke, near the Erie County line. Corfu, Pembroke and Darien fire departments are responding and Mercy Flight will be also.

UPDATE 2:39 p.m.: Traffic is backing up and Route 77 is reduced to a single lane in some places. The landing zone will be a lot at Jim & Bob's Service Co. Route 5 is being shut down. Akron Fire Department is requested to shut down 5 at Crittenden Road. In addition to Mercy Flight, an ambulance is needed at the scene. Responders are working to extricate victims.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: Corfu fire is going to shut down Lake Road at 5 to westbound traffic.

UPDATE 2:28: Fire police will also shut down Route 5 at Route 77. Mercy Flight has landed and the ambulance is on scene.

UPDATE 2:57 p.m.: It appears they are going to keep 5 at 77 open at least for the time being.

UPDATE 3:14 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne but no destination reported yet.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: Genesee County Coroner Kristine Flanagan has arrived on scene.

UPDATE 4:48 p.m.: The roadways are reopened. Responders are back in service.

A tractor-trailer has reportedly rear-ended a passenger vehicle on the eastbound off ramp of Thruway Exit 48A and there are injuries reported.

Pembroke and Indian Falls responding along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 8:52 p.m.: The location is eastbound just before the off ramp.

UPDATE 8:59 p.m.: There are two injuries. One person is walking around. The other person is still in the car.

UPDATE 9:26 p.m.: There were two dogs in the vehicle. One crated, the other not. There's no indication either animal was injured. Animal control is in route to assist with the dogs.

A two-car, head-on collision is reported in the area of 8419 Indian Falls Road, north of Pratt Road. Mercy Flight out of Batavia is apprised and available. East Pembroke Fire Department and two Mercy Medic units are responding.

UPDATE 10:24 a.m.: A responder on scene reports the vehicles are well off the roadway, not blocking, and the occupants claim no injuries. Medics will continue in order to evaluate.

Two of the group of railroad crossings between the Genesee and Erie County line that had been closed reopened this morning by 9, but the rest remain closed and according to a CSX manager at Wortendyke Road, will remain closed through tomorrow.

Upton and Snipery roads are open.

Route 77, which had been partially closed for some repair work was open at 10:30 a.m.

The closures are affecting travel for residents, bus drivers, and of course, emergency responders. 

We requested comment from the CSX media center last night and again today but have yet to get a response.

Crossing above: Wortendyke Road.

UPDATE: As soon as I hit save on this, a representative from CSX called. He needed to get more information so he could get us more information. We'll update this post accordingly when we hear back.

Wilkinson Road

Ellinwood Avenue

Colby Road

Fargo Road

Thieves made off with laptops, GPS devices, cash, backpacks and book bags during a series of break-ins to cars in the East Pembroke area this past weekend.

During the spree an ATV was stolen from a home on Read Road, East Pembroke.

Deputies are investigating the thefts but have no leads at this point, according to Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster.

There are about 20 known larcenies from Saturday and Sunday, Brewster said.

"Often times, we get a call of four or five larcenies and it turns out there may have been 15 or 20 more people who just don't report it," Brewster said.

The ATV stolen was left outside, but did not have its keys in its ignition. It was pushed down the road a ways and then apparently hotwired, Brewster says.

It's a 2009 Yamaha Raptor, white with red rims.

Brewster said another ATV was stolen in Darien about three weeks ago and later recovered in Lancaster.

It was apparently driven down a railroad bed and then abandoned.

"A lot of times these kids try to hide it in the weeds thinking it won't be found and they can come back and ride it again later," Brewster said. "They don't dare take it home."

Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation can call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000.

Following a 7-4 Batavia victory over Pembroke, both coaches for the girls softball teams said they see things to build on that could carry them into sectional play.

"We need to be more consistent," said Pembroke's Ron Funke. "We're a good hitting team, but we to do the little things. The mental mistakes are hurting us right now."

The Lady Dragons are 3-4 so far this year and Funke said that now that the weather should improve and the girls play together more, those little mistakes will get ironed out.

"The more games we get in, the more consistent we'll become," Funke said.

For Burt Howell, head coach for Batavia, he saw a pitcher today, and his hitters who are starting to put things together.

"When you see them go from practice to game and get some of the skills in it makes you think they're going to get better fast," Howell said.

Kim Walsh threw hard today and Howell thinks that was the big difference in the game.

"She controlled the game from the circle," Howell said. "If she she pitches like that on a daily basis, there isn't anybody we don't think we can't beat. We need the youngsters to make plays behind her, but when she throws like that the girls are in the game and we start to actually make plays."

Among the younger players who stepped up their performance today was Hannah Bowen, who went 2-4 and his hitting .667 so far this season. She's in eighth grade. She also had three RBI on two doubles.

Walsh also went 2-4, including a monster double that would have cleared any fence in a typical softball field if there was one at the Batavia field.

Pembroke had 10 hits, led by Deanna Perry, who went 2-3, and Danni Dellapenta, who was 2-4 with two doubles, and Bre Johnson, who had a triple.

Howell praised Perry saying that she proved she could turn on Walsh's fastball, so they had to change speeds on her.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

A structure fire is reported 735 Genesee St., Corfu.

Corfu fire along with Pembroke, East Pembroke, Darien and the City's Fast Team all dispatched.

Firefighters on scene say people are still in the house and they're trying to get them out. The fire is at the back of the structure, possibily on a porch.

UPDATE 11:34 p.m.: The City's Fast Team is cancelled.

UPDATE 11:35 p.m.: The fire is knocked down. Crittendon and Akron were also called, but now are cancelled.

UPDATE 12:15 a.m.: Corfu returning to quarters.

Pembroke native Rich Funke, who started his broadcast career at WBTA, will receive a lifetime achievement award from St. John Fisher College.

The award is named after Jack Palvino, a member of the university's first graduating class who became well known in Rochester media.

The award ceremony is this evening.

Funke's broadcast career in Rochester and Batavia spans 40 years.

His first big assignment in broadcast news was covering the Attica prison riot for WBTA.

(via WHEC)

A chief is on scene in Pembroke of what was initially reported as a grass fire off the Thruway but now appears to be a motor vehicle accident where the car caught fire.

The car was pretty far along burning by the time it was found.

No indication at this point that there is any victims in the area.

The location -- I think on Stage Road -- is actually in Newstead's district. Newstead is being dispatched.

It's possible the location is in Erie County.

UPDATE 10:53 p.m.: Nobody is in the car.

UPDATE 10:55 p.m.: Fire is out. Scene has been turned over to Erie County Sheriff. Pembroke not yet back in service. 

Michael B. Collier, 50, of Gladstone Street, Rochester, and Stephen J. Wood, 60, of West Main Street, Rochester, are charged with petit larceny. Collier and Wood are accused of shoplifting at Walmart. Collier was arraigned and turned over to the Orlean's County Sheriff's Office on a warrant and Wood was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Brandon L. Doward, 28, of 125 Liberty St., lowor, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Doward is accused of pushing a woman to the ground during an argument. He was jailed on $750 bail.

Diana L. Bloom, 55, of 117 State St., lower, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Bloom is accused of shoplifting at the Hess Mart, corner of West Main and Oak streets, Batavia.

Harry J. Hall, 46, of Pine Tree Drive, Poughkeepsie, is charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes, plate obstructed and driver's view obstructed. Hall was allegedly found with 24 cartons of untaxed cigarettes during at traffic stop by Deputy Chris Parker at 10:01 a.m., Sunday, on Route 77, Pembroke.

Mitchell Scott Lindbergh, 44, of Chairfactory Road, Elma, is charged with stalking, 4th. Lindbergh is accused of repeated contact with a person in Darien he had been told to leave alone.

Brian Lee Smith, 51, of Colonial Blvd., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Smith is accused of violating an order of protection by contacting the protected party via e-mail.

Dennis Andrew O'Neal, 25,of Alleghany Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. O'Neal is accused of punching holes into the drywall of a house in Corfu.

Andrew Richard Bastiano, 26, of Sumner Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and operating with inadequate lights. Bastiano was stopped at 10:59 p.m., Friday, on Townline Road, Bergen, by Deputy Jason Saile.

A passerby reported flames coming from a chimney at 856 Genesee St. in Corfu. Corfu, City of Batavia Fire Department's Fast Team along with Darien, Pembroke, East Pembroke, and Indian Falls are called to the scene. First responders confirm flames shooting from the chimney.

UPDATE 11:46 p.m.: Only Corfu and Darien are told to continue to the scene. Akron and Crittenden, the Fast Team and the others are cancelled. An infrared camera and a ladder to access the side of the house are requested.

A driver early this morning said he was spooked by a deer, causing him to lose control of his vehicle, strike a utility pole and cause a power outage in the Pembroke area.

Theodis Charles Hill III, 22, of 193 S. Main St., #26, Batavia, was westbound on Route 5 near Lover's Lane at 12:55 a.m. when his car traveled off the south shoulder of the road and into a drainage ditch.

The vehicle overturned and struck a National Grid utility pole.

The accident cause power lines to catch on fire and firefighters had a difficult time extricating Hill, though he reportedly suffered only minor injuries.

He was transported to ECMC by an ambulance with an arm injury, though he was listed as going into shock at the time of his transport.

Hill was issued a citation for alleged failure to keep right.

(Initial Report)

A car has hit a pole in the area of Route 5 and Lovers Lane, Pembroke, and while the driver is conscious and alert and appears to have only minor injuries, he's trapped in the vehicle, which has rolled on its side.

The driver is standing in the vehicle and the roof will need to be removed to get him out.

A chief said it will be a lengthy extrication process. The vehicle needs to be stabilized for extrication to continue at this point.

Route 5 is shut down to westbound traffic at Route 77.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments on scene. Corfu Fire handling traffic control.

Note: I'm going back to bed, so don't expect any further updates tonight. If this is a Sheriff's Office call, there will likely be a follow-up accident report at some point.

UPDATE 1:26 a.m.: OK, an update. The wires on the pole are now burning. Crews warned of the danger above them while they work and a truck is being moved. National Grid had already been notified. Also, the vehicle was reportedly off the road for some distance and managed to avoid hitting other poles prior to hitting the one it did. There's quite a debris trail leading to the accident, according to a deputy.

UPDATE 1:29 a.m.: National Grid has a 10-minute ETA and requests that crews stay away from the wires. A chief says just the connecting arm that appears to be burning now, not the wires.