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Grand Island Fire Co.: Motor vehicle accidents continue to climb at record pace

Sat, Sep 10th 2016 07:00 am

By Ray Pauley

Public Information Officer

Grand Island Fire Co.

Fire Chief Matt Osinski has voiced his concern over the fact that Grand Island firefighters and medics have had to contend with more than 30 motor vehicle accidents since June 29, one of which involved a fatality.

A two-car collision occurred during daylight hours Sept. 1 on Stony Point and Bedell roads. Lynne Huffnagle, 23, of Grand Island sustained minor injuries and declined hospitalization. The other driver was evaluated by Twin City Ambulance personnel and also declined treatment.

The accident occurred not far from the scene of a prior Aug. 31 incident, a head-on collision that proved fatal for one driver.

Subsequently, at 11:50 a.m. on Sept. 5, another two-car motor vehicle accident occurred at East River and Sandy Beach roads. Laura Gorcheck, 46, Grand Island declined treatment, while a 17-year-old family member was transported by TCA to Women's and Children's Hospital of Buffalo for precautionary attention. Robert Schooping, 60, also of GI, was referred to his family physician if deemed necessary.

Fire officials believe that driver inattention and distraction may be a contributing factor in this unprecedented series of accidents that will require the use of greater defensive driving skills by everyone on the highways.

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