Car rams house; driver pinned
by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor

Getzville firefighters and Amherst police officers survey damage to a home at 1975 Dodge Road Tuesday morning, top photo, after it was struck by a car that punched through the wall and was left dangling inside the basement. At right, crews working under a low ceiling in the basement stabilize the wreck while surrounded by electrical equipment and other utility lines. Neighbors reported it is at least the third time the house has been hit by an out-of-control vehicle. Photos by David F. Sherman Purchase color photos at www. BeeNews. com

An Amherst man was rushed to the Erie County Medical Center in critical condition early Tuesday morning after his car left the road and crashed into a house at 1975 Dodge Road, piercing the wall and leaving the vehicle dangling over the edge of the foundation in the basement.

Amherst Police identified the driver as Carl Seyfert, 69.

He was extricated from his vehicle by Getzville firefighters after a treacherous 45-minute rescue effort. The car made a direct hit on the incoming electrical lines and breaker box in the basement and also damaged other utility lines.

No one was at home at the time.

Amherst Police Capt. Patrick McKenna said Seyfert may have suffered a medical impairment, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle shortly after 1:20 a.m. The vehicle failed to negotiate a curve at Dodge and Casey roads before striking the house. There were no skid marks.

Firefighters encountered multiple hazards at the scene. The driver's seat was at the point where the car stopped on its path into the house, preventing them from being able to remove the entire roof to access the victim.

The impact point also limited access to the front doors of the four-door vehicle.

Wooden cribbing was used to support the rear of the car and stabilize it. A cable was also secured to the frame to keep the car from slipping further into the basement.

Getzville crews working inside the cramped cellar had a difficult time accessing the car's battery to cut power to the vehicle as it dangled over a stove and other appliances. There was also the potential danger of flammable liquids leaking from the car.

The operator of this vehicle, a 77-year-old California man, died Monday as the result of a two-car crash Sunday night on Transit Road near Sheridan Drive. Photo by David F. Sherman Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

They were assisted at the scene by Twin City Ambulance paramedics and the Amherst Building Department.

In a separate incident, a California man involved in an accident Sunday night on Transit Road succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Emergency responders were called to 7800 Transit Road at 8:13 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14 where three vehicles were involved in a serious accident.

Kenneth C. Boyd, 77, of Long Beach, Calif., died Monday night after being in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital's intensive care unit since Sunday. The autopsy showed the cause of death was a combination of a pre-existing heart disease and injuries from the accident.

McKenna said he believed Boyd, who was traveling north on Transit, suffered a heart attack before crossing several lanes of traffic and colliding with a southbound vehicle.

The driver of that vehicle, 23-year-old Jennifer L. Radomski of Bowmansville, suffered a bruised hip. Her passenger, 23-year-old Kelly L. Ludtka of Lancaster, sustained a bruised right foot. Both were treated at the scene and released.

Boyd had been operating a 2008 Pontiac when he struck Radomski's 2004 Saturn, causing the vehicle to spin into the northbound lane and collide with a 2007 Chevrolet driven by Gina M. Conciardo, 41, of Clarence. She reported no injuries.

McKenna said several bystanders performed CPR on Boyd until Harris Hill firefighters and Twin City Ambulance arrived.

Transit Road was closed until after 11 p.m. New York State Police assisted at the scene. Investigator Scott Lawida is leading the ongoing investigation.

Amherst Bee Associate Editor Jessica Finch contributed to this story.