Mother, daughter killed in boulevard auto accident

Grand Island Dispatch, January 8, 2010
by Ray Pauley
Public Information Officer
Grand Island Fire Co. and Erie County Sheriff’s Department reports

A roadside memorial has arisen on Grand Island Boulevard near
where Grand Island’s Stephanie Ali and her daughter, Grace
Ingalsbe, lost their lives in a car accident. (photo by Larry Austin)

An Island woman and her 5-month-old daughter were killed Tuesday in an automobile accident on Grand Island Boulevard.

Grand Island Fire Co. Chief Greg Butcher reports that at 6:24 p.m., GIFC rescue personnel responded to a two-car collision at 2695 Grand Island Blvd., just east of Bedell Road. According to the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, Stephanie Ali, 22 years old, of Grand Island, was operating her 2008 Toyota northbound on Grand Island Boulevard when she lost control of her vehicle and crossed the center of the roadway and was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Michael Szymanski, 43, of Niagara Falls was southbound on the boulevard in a 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe pulling a trailer with two snowmobiles and was unable to avoid a T-bone collision.

GIFC paramedics initiated advanced life support treatment to both Ali and her daughter, who sustained serious traumatic injuries. These efforts continued during transport to Kenmore Mercy Hospital.

Ali and her 5-month-old daughter, Grace Ingalsbe, who was seated in an infant car seat in the rear of the vehicle, lost their lives as a result. Szymanski and his passenger, 17-year-old Mark Szymanski, claimed no injuries and declined treatment.

Preliminary investigation by the Erie County Sheriff’s Department suggests that snow-covered roadways contributed to the accident.

GIFC units remained on-scene until 10:25 p.m. to assist ECSD accident investigators during their ongoing investigation. The investigation continues.