Officials and neighbors respond to numerous car accidents in recent weeks

BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) — Over the past few weeks, News 4 has reported on more than six separate car accidents that have resulted in serious injuries and pedestrians being struck.

According to experts, this trend is common in the summer months, but it is easily avoidable.

“Everyone has to take this responsibility to keep everyone safe,” said Elizabeth Carey, AAA public relations director in WNY. “This is so important. These are tragedies. Nobody wants this to happen.”

In the last 24 hours alone last week, five people were hospitalized, some in critical condition, due to a four-vehicle crash on Sheridan Drive in Amherst and a three-vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer in Genesee County.

Carey says these types of accidents tend to occur during the summer months.

“This is the time of year when people just want to be outside. So we’re seeing more people outside, kids playing outside, people walking or jogging,” she said. “Unfortunately, a lot of people are distracted while driving. They’re distracted by their phones, by music, by what’s going on around them.”

Eight days ago, a resident of the town of Colden died in a motorcycle accident.

AAA reports show that the number of fatal motorcycle crashes is on the rise. In 2022, over 6,000 motorcyclists were killed in crashes, the highest number since 1975.

News 4 spoke with Buffalo Police Chief Tommy Champion about how the department is adjusting and refocusing its focus during months with a high number of car crashes.

“We have all kinds of traffic investigation units and accident investigation units. Our people are always out on patrol, doing tow patrols in areas that we hear are problem areas,” Champion said. “So we try to keep those things going, but it’s extremely important to make sure our citizens are always aware of those things when they’re operating vehicles.”

On Monday, the unthinkable happened when a 6-year-old girl was hit by a car in the town of Tonawanda and died.

Neighbors expressed their dismay at the recent news, saying it was a reminder to teach children to feel safe on the streets and that parents should always remain vigilant.

“Talk to your kids. Make sure you tell them the summer weather is here, we’re outside, we’re on the move, but be aware of your surroundings,” said neighbor Cindi McEachon. “I think as a culture we’re often in a rush to get somewhere and we often forget that we need to stop.”