5 more motor vehicle crashes reported, non fatal

by Ray Pauley

Public Information Officer

Grand Island Fire Co.

Grand Island Fire Chief Kevin Koch reports that Grand Island firefighter/medics have had to contend with five motor vehicle accidents within the three-day period from Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. He noted that this disturbing pattern of frequent MVAs has persisted since a July 9 triple fatality on the I-190.

At 3:40 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, 44-year-old Michael Whitfield of Grand Island was treated by GIFC medics for not life-threatening injuries when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a utility pole on Baseline Road across from fire headquarters.

He was transported to Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center for precautionary follow-up.

Shortly before 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, firefighter/medics responded to a multi-vehicle accident on the South Grand Island Bridge, southbound, which involved three cars and a motorcycle.

The motorcyclist, 49-year-old Edward Handy of Grand Island, was treated by GIFC medics for serious traumatic injuries and transported to Erie County Medical Center for further medical attention. A car passenger, 40-year-old Martin Antonio of Buffalo, was treated for not life-threatening injuries and also transported to ECMC for follow-up. A driver, 68-year-old Sheila Held of St. Catharines, Ontario, was evaluated by GIFC medics and transported to Kenmore Mercy Hospital as a precaution.

Later, at 5:38 p.m., GIFC rescue personnel responded to a two-car collision on the I-190 northbound near the Long Road exit ramp.

A 1-year-old child was evaluated by medics and transported to Women and Children's Hospital, along with her mother, 21-year-old Shenea Richie of Buffalo, for additional follow-up. The other driver, 71-year-old Robert Weinstock of Los Angeles, denied injuries.

At 4:10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, 28-year-old Greg Golde of Grand Island lost control of his vehicle, which veered off Bush Road and damaged a nearby home. He was treated by GIFC medics for upper body injuries and transported to ECMC for follow-up.

Finally, at 11:56 p.m., Sept. 1, GIFC rescue personnel responded to a person in distress call and found 58-year-old Hemangini Desai of Alexandria, La., outside of her vehicle on the I-190 southbound, where she was treated by medics for a medical emergency.