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A two-car accident on Delaware Street sent five young people to the hospital Tuesday morning, just before the start of the first day of the new school year, City of Tonawanda police reported.
According to police, Rebecca Casal, 17, was heading to Tonawanda High School with two passengers, ages 14 and 13, in her car. Casal was turning left onto Fletcher Street from Delaware but didn’t see a car being driven by Sean Simmons, 17, of Buffalo, approaching south on Delaware. Simmons and his passenger, also 17, were on their way to Kenmore West High School.
Casal’s car hit Simmons’ nearly head-on, causing her vehicle to spin off into an empty parking lot, while Simmons’ car came to rest a few feet from a utility pole. All three people in Casal’s car and both in Simmons’ vehicle were taken to DeGraff Memorial Hospital, Police Lt. Fredric Foels said, adding that three were transported by Twin City Ambulance.
Tonawanda Fire Department personnel had to cut off the roof of Simmons’ car to extricate one of the occupants. There was significant damage to both cars, with one declared a total loss, fire officials said.
Tuesday was the first day of classes in the Tonawanda City School District. “It was quite the start to the first day of schools, students injured and five go to the hospital,” Foels said.
Police ticketed Casal for failing to yield the right of way and for allowing a passenger under the age of 15 to be unbuckled in the back seat. Police said the boy, 14, was taken to the hospital with a possible broken nose.
Tonawanda Fire Chief Charles Stuart said Tuesday’s accident should serve as a reminder to motorists, especially young drivers, to constantly be on the lookout when operating a vehicle. “Don’t forget you’re in a car. These things weigh 2,500 pounds and they can kill people,” he said. “Pay attention all the time.”
A motorcyclist was vaulted over another vehicle and had to be taken to ECMC in a two-car accident last week at Delaware and Morgan streets. That crash was caused by a motorist who stopped at a stop sign then drove into the path of the motorcyclist, who had the right of way.
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Crash sends 5 to hospital
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