A 74-year-old Niagara Falls woman was killed and a 61-year-old city man remains in critical condition following a serious two-vehicle collision at one of the city’s busiest intersections Monday morning.
The crash occurred shortly before 6:30am at the intersection of Military Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard. The accident prompted a large emergency response and the closure of the intersection for several hours while investigators worked to determine what happened.
According to the Niagara Falls Police Department’s Traffic Division Crash Investigation Unit, the collision took place at approximately 6:28am when a 2006 Jeep Compass traveling eastbound on Niagara Falls Boulevard entered the intersection and collided with a 2012 Toyota RAV4 traveling northbound on Military Road.
The impact was severe.
Investigators said the force of the crash spun both vehicles toward the edges of the intersection and triggered airbag deployment in both automobiles. Debris from the collision was scattered across the roadway.
Police said both drivers suffered significant traumatic injuries and required immediate medical attention.
Paramedics transported the two victims by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for treatment.
The driver of the Toyota, a 61-year-old Niagara Falls man, was reportedly unresponsive at the scene. Authorities said he underwent emergency surgery after arriving at the hospital and remains listed in critical condition.
The driver of the Jeep, a 74-year-old Niagara Falls woman, was conscious and speaking with emergency personnel immediately after the collision despite suffering serious injuries. She was transported to ECMC in unstable condition and was also listed as critical.
Despite efforts by medical personnel, police said the woman succumbed to her injuries later Monday afternoon.
Authorities have not released her identity pending notification of family members.
The Niagara Falls Police Traffic Division’s Crash Investigation Unit responded to conduct a detailed reconstruction of the collision.
According to detectives, preliminary findings indicate the Jeep entered the intersection against a red traffic signal before the crash occurred.
Investigators also noted that bright early morning sunlight may have played a role in the incident, meaning that a glare from the rising sun might have affected visibility.
Investigators spent several hours documenting evidence, photographing the scene, taking measurements and examining the vehicles involved before departing.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that could assist investigators is being asked to contact the Niagara Falls Police Traffic Division at (716) 286-4563 or the department’s non-emergency line at (716) 286-4711.
