The buggy got loose from its owner – 44-year-old Emanual Kurtz of Mud Creek Rd. in Kennedy – Sunday night. It made its way onto the eastbound lane of the Interstate via the Kennedy Exit, but was traveling in the wrong direction.  It was then struck head-on by a tractor-trailer semi.

The driver of the truck was not hurt but there was significant damage to the vehicle and a small fuel leak.

New York State Police responded at the scene, along with firefighters from Kennedy and Falconer, as well as county EMS crews.

Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies say the crash occurred just before 2 a.m. on Route 380 at Pickard Rd. Sinclairville, NY. for a vehicle that had struck a utility pole. While looking inside the unoccupied vehicle through smashed-out windows, sheriff’s deputies observed an assault rifle with numerous loaded magazine, a sawed off shotgun, commercial and homemade fireworks, and throwing stars.

An investigation led to 29-year-old Michael Thompson being found at a near-by residence. He was taken into custody and charged with DWI; DWI per se (Misdemeanor); Criminal Possession of a Weapon – 3rd Degree for  possession of an assault weapon with large capacity ammunition feeding devices – 8 magazines (D-Felony); Criminal Possession of a Weapon – 4th Degree – five throwing stars (A-Misdemeanor); and Unlawful Possession of Fireworks (B-Misdemeanor).

Thompson was arraigned in Ellery Town Court, where bail was set at $75,000 cash and sent to the county jail.

The accident happened just before 9 a.m. in the Town of Charlotte, between Jamestown Street and Sylvester Road.

Sheriff Deputies say 20 year-old Justin Romaniuk of Lakewood was traveling south when his vehicle crossed into the northbound lane for an unknown reason. The vehicle then collided head-on with a Coach USA Bus being driven by Debra Grimes, also from Lakewood.

Romaniuk was pinned under his vehicle and had to be cut out, officials say. He suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.

Grimes was also trapped in the bus and had to be rescued by the Jaws of Life and first responders. She was taken to the Erie County Medical Center for serious, but not life threatening, injuries. Three passengers on the bus were also hurt in the incident.

Route 60 was closed for about four hours during the investigation, which continues. No charges are expected against Grimes.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office says the accident took place at the intersection of Plank Rd and Hartfield-Centralia Rd. An investigation found that 21 year-old Tyler Farrell of Bemus Point failed to yield the right of way at an intersection and struck a vehicle being operated by 57 year-old Eric Carlson of Dewittville. After hitting Carlson’s vehicle, Farrell’s vehicle then hit another car operated by 66 year-old Charles Fisher of Jamestown.

A passenger is Carlon’s vehicle was taken to Westfield Memorial Hospital for minor injuries.

Farrell was issued a traffic ticket for failure to yield right of way and will appear in Town of Chautauqua court at a later date.

On Thursday morning a Sinclairville man escaped injury after he was involved in an accident in the town of Ellery. Sheriff deputies say 49 year-old Steven Penhollow was traveling east on Pickard Rd. just after 8 a.m. when he struck a piece of county highway department equipment used for rebuilding roads. An investigation found that Penhollow hit the equipment due to dust in the air and the sun on the horizon, and also because the machinery was parked in a shaded area. Penhollow’s vehicle was extensively damaged, but he was not injured. No charges were filed.

Meanwhile, a Portland man was taken to the hospital after he was involved in an accident on Route 5 in the north county. Sheriff deputies say 35 year-old Adam Thornton was traveling west on Route 5 just after 5 p.m. Thursday.  They say he was distracted by something in his vehicle, causing it to drift off the shoulder of the road and into a ditch. The vehicle then hit utility pole, sheering it in half. Thornton was transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital for his injuries. He was also issued a ticket for driving across hazard markings and will appear in court at a later date and time.

And a Kennedy man was involved in a one-vehicle accident Thursday night in the town of Poland. Chautauqua County Sheriff deputies say 20 year-old Austin Muntz was traveling south along Hartson Rd about 10 p.m. when he swerved to avoid hitting a deer. His vehicle then left the roadway. Muntz was treated at the scene for minor, non-life threatening injuries. No charges were filed.

Jonah Warner

POLAND – A Sinclairville man has been charged unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine for the second time three months after he was involved in an accident late Thursday afternoon in the Town of Poland.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Deputies say 24 year-old Jonah Warner was driving along Rte. 394 at about 5:30 p.m. when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. An investigation found that Warner was allegedly in possession of precursors to make meth and he attempted to hide them at the accident scene.

Police say he was also convicted of illegally making meth earlier this year on July 28. The conviction came after he was arrested in June following an investigation by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force.

Warner was initially sent to WCA for minor injuries. He was then taken to Poland Court for arraignment and then sent to the county jail without bail.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Deputies say 25 year-old Rachel Farnham was driving west along Rt. 394 at about 12:30 a.m. on Thursday when she came to a curve in the roadway, lost control of her vehicle, causing it to leave the roadway and strike a utility pole. A Further investigation found Farnham to allegedly be intoxicated.

No injuries were reported. Farnham was charged and later released to appear in Chautauqua Town Court at a later date.

Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Deputies say the incident happened at 2:40 p.m. near Stone Road. An investigation found that 63 year-old David Johnson Jr. was traveling East on Route 394 when he reportedly had a coughing fit, causing him to pass out. As a result his vehicle left the roadway and struck a National Grid power pole. The vehicle then traveled another 100 yards through a lawn before hitting a tree head on.

Johnson, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered a severe fractured nose and was sent to WCA.

Route 394 was shut down for several hours while National Grid restored power to approximately 20 customers.

Charges are pending further investigation into the incident.

Sheriff Deputies say a vehicle was traveling on Route 430 at about 3:30 p.m. near the area of Point Chautauqua Golf Course when it swerved to avoid hitting a vehicle that was turning onto the roadway. As a result the vehicle hit an earth embankment, became air born, and then landed on one of the greens of the golf course.

Four people were in the vehicle and were transported to Westfield Memorial Hospital for minor injuries. The names of the driver and the three passengers were not released.

Mayville, Maple Springs, and Dewittville Fire Departments also responded to assist.

Chautauqua County Sheriff deputies say 19 year-old Kayla Luce of Warrenton, VA was traveling east on I-86 at about 3 p.m. on Saturday when she attempted to pass a slower moving vehicle and lost control of her car, striking the south side of the bridge and then spinning around before finally coming to a rest in the passing lane.

Luce was checked a minor injury and refused further treatment. No charges were filed and the New York state police along with the Ashville and Bemus Point fire departments assisted at the scene.