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14
Dec

New York college student dies in I-81 crash

December 14, 2011

A 20-year-old Long Island man was killed in a fiery car crash on Interstate 81 on Saturday, December 3, reports the Times Tribune. The Susquehanna County Coroner said that he died of smoke inhalation.

The victim, identified as a student from Mount Sinai, New York, was driving north of I-81 at 2:32 a.m. when his vehicle drove off the right side of the highway at mile marker 211 in Susquehanna County and hit a rock embankment.

The vehicle came to rest on its driver’s side on the highway’s shoulder and became engulfed in flames, according to state police.

The young man was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. An autopsy performed Sunday morning revealed that his death had been caused by smoke inhalation, the coroner said.

He was a student at Ithaca College in upstate New York, where he was enrolled in the school’s music program, a college spokesman said.

He was returning to the school from New York City when the accident occurred.

An email was sent to students by the school of music’s dean informing them of his death and offering counseling to those mourning him.

“From my own experiences with [him], and with impressions I have gleaned from his teachers, [he] was a wonderful student, a talented musician, and a warm and beautiful person,” said the dean.

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If you or someone you know were the victim of an accident, the New York auto accident lawyers at the William Mattar Law Offices may be able to help you.

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12
Dec

Two killed in Pawling, New York, one-car auto wreck

December 12, 2011

A one-car double-fatal car accident occurred in Pawling, New York, on Saturday, December 10, at approximately 2:25 a.m., reports The Daily Mail.

In response to a 911 call, Dutchess County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the West Dover Road area. When they arrived, they found one car rolled over with two injured occupants inside. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the vehicle, a 2002 Honda Accord, was being driven northbound on West Dover Road when it exited the roadway while going through a curve.

The vehicle then struck an embankment, overturned, and hit a tree before coming to its final rest off the eastern side of the roadway.

A 24-year-old Pawling woman was driving the car, and a 31 year-old Wingdale man was the front seat passenger. Both were wearing their seatbelts.

Sheriff’s Office Crash Investigation Unit is continuing its investigation into the exact cause(s) of the crash, but at this time, it appears as though unsafe speed was a significant factor.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the New York State Police, the Pawling Fire Department, and the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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If you or someone you know were the victim of an accident, the New York auto accident lawyers at the William Mattar Law Offices may be able to help you.

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9
Dec

New York armored truck driver died in Woodbridge turnpike wreck

December 9, 2011

A 45-year-old New York man died when he was ejected from the armored truck that he was driving on the New Jersey Turnpike early Wednesday, according to My Central New Jersey.

A state trooper said that the Garda Security International armored truck was traveling north in the outer roadway near milepost 90 on the New Jersey Turnpike around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. For some unknown reason, the driver lost control of the truck, and the truck struck the guardrail and overturned.

The driver from Jamaica, New York, was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the state trooper said.

His passenger, a 45-year-old man from the Bronx, was trapped in the truck.

Three fire departments responded to assist in extricating him from the vehicle. Woodbridge EMS transported the man to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.

The passenger’s injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.

The contents of the armored truck were secured by the state police. There is no information about the contents, destination, or origin of the truck.

Garda director of corporate communications declined to disclose that information.

“We’re cooperating with authorities investigating the incident,” he said.

Traffic was delayed for about six hours because of the accident.

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7
Dec

Arrests made, tickets issued after Buffalo Bills game

December 7, 2011

On Sunday evening, the New York State Police conducted a DWI (driving while intoxicated) patrol to coincide with the Buffalo Bills game, reports WIVB.com.  traffic Three arrests were made, and 98 tickets were issued.

Tickets included two DWI arrests, one unlawful possession of marijuana arrest, 41 speed violations, eight cell phone tickets, three seat belt tickets, and 43 other vehicle and traffic law violations.

Around 4:50 p.m. a 30-year-old Walworth man was arrested and charged with DWI. He was stopped for allegedly passing cars in the center lane of Southwestern Boulevard. He allegedly had a 17 percent blood alcohol content (BAC) and failed the field sobriety test.

Also failing the field sobriety test and arrested and charged with aggravated DWI was a 33-year-old Jamestown man. He was stopped for failing to yield the right of way when turning onto Southwestern Boulevard. He allegedly had a 19 percent BAC.

In Lancaster, a 20 year-ole Alden man was riding in a car that was stopped after someone threw a beer can out the window on Transit Road. The young man was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana.

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5
Dec

Pedestrian killed in Long Island car accident

December 5, 2011

A 93-year-old female pedestrian was killed early Sunday morning in an accident in Huntington Station on Long Island, CSS New York reports.

The woman was trying to cross New York Avenue near West 9th Street when she was hit at 6:40 a.m. She was transported to Huntington Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

The vehicle, a 1999 Ford Taurus, that struck her was driven by a 68-year-old woman heading southbound on New York Avenue. The driver was not injured.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check, said police.

The deceased had lived in Huntington Station, New York, for 14 years and has two grown children.

According to the Suffolk County Police Department, detectives are still investigating the accident. They are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward and call the Second Squad at 631-854-8252 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 220-TIPS.

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2
Dec

New York nursing director dies when her SUV slams into rear of tractor-trailer

December 2, 2011

On her way to work Thursday morning, a 57-year-old Howes Cave woman died on I-88 in Duanesburg, New York, after her SUV slammed into the back of a moving tractor-trailer, reports the Times Union. After hitting the truck, the roof of her Honda CR-V was partially sheared off.

The woman oversaw three nursing departments at Albany Medical Center; she was a patient care service director and was responsible for overseeing emergency services, critical care, and nursing neuroscience.

“[She] was a valued and beloved member of the Albany Med family,” the Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer said in a statement Thursday. “She epitomized the nursing profession with her patient advocacy, leadership, and passion for caring. We are devastated by her passing and keep her family in our thoughts and prayers.”

After the Honda became dislodged from the trailer, it was moved into the passing lane and was struck by a Saturn sedan driven by 40-year-old Schoharie woman. The Saturn became airborne and landed down an embankment on its roof. The driver was taken to Albany Medical Center but did not suffer life-threatening injuries, police said.

Anyone who may have witnessed the first crash should contact State Police at 630-1700.

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30
Nov

Golf cart on roadway in New York rear-ended by car

November 30, 2011

Two teenagers are hospitalized after they drove a golf cart onto a western New York rural highway this past weekend, according to Wall Street Journal.

The incident occurred just after midnight on Saturday in the town of Byron, west of Rochester, on Route 237. An 18-year-old female was driving the unlighted, slow moving golf cart on the highway when a car crested a hill and hit the golf cart from behind.

The golf cart driver and her passenger, an 18-year-old male, were ejected from the cart, thrown into the roadway. Both suffered head injuries. The cart then crossed both lanes of traffic and struck a parked vehicle.

The young man who suffered head-trauma and other internal injuries was transported by Mercy Flight helicopter to Strong Memorial Hospital where he is listed in guarded condition in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit.

The young woman suffered head and facial injuries and was transported to Strong, where she is listed in stable condition.

The 19-year-old driver of the car was unhurt.

Deputies say alcohol is considered a factor in the accident.

The accident is still being investigated by the Genesee County Sheriff‘s office, and charges are pending against the operator of the golf cart.

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If you or someone you know were the victim of a New York auto accident, the New York auto accident lawyers at William Mattar Law Offices may be able to help you.

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28
Nov

Single car crash in the Town of Colden leaves 1 dead, 1 injured

November 28, 2011

An early morning crash in the Town of Colden, New York, has left one man dead and another hospitalized, according to the Erie County Sheriff.

The deceased is a 24-year-old passenger of a vehicle driven by a 23-year-old man from Colden.

The vehicle was southbound on Irish Road in Colden when the driver lost control of the vehicle, which resulted in the vehicle striking some trees.

The accident was reported by a 911 call at 4:20 a.m.   The call reported a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Finch Road.

When deputies and firemen arrived on the scene, they located the two male occupants of the vehicle, both outside the vehicle. It appeared that they had been ejected.

The passenger was already deceased, and the driver was treated at the scene by Emergency Medical Service personnel from the Colden Fire Company. He was then transported to the Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight for evaluation and treatment. His condition is unknown at this time.

The driver was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Additional charges are pending. An investigation is being conducted by the Erie County Sheriff’s Accident Investigation Unit.

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If you or someone you know were the victim of a New York auto accident, the New York auto accident lawyers at the William Mattar Law Offices may be able to help you.

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23
Nov

Common causes of car accidents: Part II

November 23, 2011

The first two common causes of car accidents as discussed in our blog on Monday are distractions and drunk driving.

The last four causes are outlined below:

(3) Fatigue–Sleepy at the wheel accounts for more than 100,000 auto accident per year

Heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, a drifting vehicle, varying speeds for no reason, misjudging traffic situations, and daydreaming are some symptoms of driver fatigue.

It is important to be well-rested before a long trip, to be alert, and to take frequent breaks.

(4) Speeding–Speed reduces the amount of time necessary to avoid an accident and increases the likelihood of a more severe wreck.

Simply slowing down and obeying posted speed limits can make you and the roads safer.

(5) Vehicle defects–A vehicle malfunction, such as a tire blowout, brake failure, or mechanical defects can result in a car accident.

Have your car checked and serviced to avoid these kinds of preventable accidents?

(6) Weather–As our blog discussed last week, inclement weather can make driving more difficult. Rain, hail, snow, ice, fog, and even high winds are signals for you to slow down and leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you.

The best safety measure under these conditions is to avoid driving.

All of these common causes are common sense.  Don’t let irresponsible actions cause you to have a car wreck.

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21
Nov

6 common causes of car accidents: Part I

November 21, 2011

Even though today’s cars are safer, car accidents are still commonplace. Someone is involved in an auto accident every 10 seconds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The most common reasons auto accidents occur include the following:

(1) Distractions

Research shows that 25 percent to 50 percent of all motor vehicle accidents are the result of distracted driving.

These distractions can include talking on the phone, texting, changing the stereo, eating, interacting with passengers, and slowing down to look at scenery or at another accident.

Talking on a cell phone while driving quadruples the risk of a car crash.

Driving should take your full attention. Looking away for even one second can cause an accident. The possibility of an accident significantly increases when a driver’s attention is diverted.

(2) Drunk driving

Catastrophic auto accidents are often caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

On average, there is one death almost every half-hour due to driving under the influence.

If you are going to drink, make plans not to drive. Call a taxi or plan for a sober friend to drive you home.

In our next blog, we will discuss the other four common causes of auto accidents. Can you guess what they are? Check by in on Wednesday.

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