Interstate 290 closed four hours

In another police report, a Tonawanda man remains in critical condition after reportedly causing an accident that closed Interstate 290 East at the Interstate 90 ramp on Friday.

According to Amherst police, the incident began at 2:56 a.m. at the Millersport Highway entrance to I-290 when an Amherst patrol officer attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Kenneth P. Weibel, 25.

Capt. Patrick McKenna said Weibel refused to stop for the patrol and entered I-290 where he lost control on the ramp from I-290 to I-90 West. His vehicle caught fire after hitting a guardrail.

Weibel crawled from the vehicle and was transported to Erie County Medical Center by Twin City Ambulance for severe burns. Snyder Fire Department also responded. The ramp was closed from 3 to 7 a.m.

Weibel has been charged with several traffic violations, driving while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle and speeding.

At press time he remained in critical condition at ECMC.