Fire officials concerned over upsurge in car, cycle accidents

Grand Island Dispatch, June 29, 2007
by Ray Pauley
Public Information Officer
Grand Island Fire Company

Grand Island Fire Chief Greg Butcher has voiced his concern over increasing motor vehicle-related incidents that have led to the hospitalization of nine people over a three-day period this week.

If this trend continues, it will be a rough summer for firefighter-medics and residents, alike, Butcher said.
The initial motor vehicle accident occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on Sunday, June 24. Michael Judson, 24, of Grand Island, reportedly lost control of his vehicle, which left the roadway and struck a tree at Beaver Island Parkway and Broadway. Judson and his 23-year-old passenger, Chad Cowell of the City of Tonawanda, were extricated from the wreckage and treated by Grand Island Fire Company paramedics for upper body trauma. Judson was transported to Erie County Medical Center by ambulance, and Cowell was taken to the same facility by Mercy Flight. Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard reports that Judson was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. The investigation is continuing, and other charges are pending. According to police reports, both occupants were wearing their seat belts, which may have saved them from more serious injuries.

Subsequently, at 2:34 p.m. that same afternoon, GIFC rescue personnel responded to a motorcycle accident on Riverdale Drive. A 17-year-old Grand Island youth sustained a leg injury when he lost control and fell to the pavement. He was treated at the scene and transported to Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center for precautionary medical follow-up.

The next day at 11 a.m., GIFC rescue personnel responded to a report of “a car striking the building” at Fuccillo Toyota, 1974 Alvin Road. Harriot Conner, 78, of Niagara Falls apparently crashed into a cement block wall when she lost control of a vehicle during a test drive. She denied injuries, but the salesman, 55-year-old John Golden, was treated by GIFC medics for chest pain and hospitalized for additional medical attention.

At 11:26 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, GIFC rescue personnel responded to an auto/motorcycle collision at Love Road and West River Parkway. The cycle passenger, 30-year-old Molly McMahon of Grand Island, was treated by GIFC medics for lower body trauma, which she reportedly sustained when thrown into the car’s windshield. She was transported to ECMC for necessary medical attention. The cycle operator, 33-year-old Bernard Scozzaro, was treated for lower body injuries and also transported to ECMC. The auto driver claimed no injuries.

Later, at 5:10 p.m., two cars collided with such force that both left the roadway at Baseline and Fix roads, with one flipping onto its roof after missing a fire hydrant by inches. One driver, 51-year-old Elizabeth Von-Hahn of Buffalo, was treated for upper and lower body injuries and transported to ECMC. Two occupants of the other vehicle, 21-year-old Charles Sperrazza of Grand Island and 20-year-old Joshua Miller of Buffalo, were evaluated at the scene and referred to ECMC as a precautionary measure.

Butcher notes that increased highway traffic during summer months also increases the risk of personal injury motor vehicle accidents. He cautions drivers to keep alert for others who are not familiar with local roadways or fail to observe traffic controls, such as stop signs. Drivers must also keep a sharp lookout for motorcycles, bicycles, roller-bladers, joggers, children playing near the street, pets running loose and any other unexpected hazards they might encounter. Driving defensively could prevent unnecessary loss of property, bodily injury or worse, he stressed.