TOWN OF WESTMORELAND, N.Y. — According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert M. Maciol, on July 15 at 7:37 a.m., road patrol deputies were dispatched to the intersection of Cooper Street and Creaser Road in the town of Westmoreland for a report of a three-car personal injury motor vehicle accident.
Deputies investigated the accident and determined that Karen Wands, 52, Blossvale, was operating a 2019 Dodge Durango southbound on Creaser Road approaching the two-way stop sign at the intersection of Cooper Street. Wands drove through the intersection, failing to yield the right-of-way at the stop sign at the intersection.
Simultaneously, Paul Ford, 61, of Oriskany Falls, was operating a 2016 Lincoln 4-door sedan eastbound on Cooper Street approaching the intersection of Creaser Road. As Wands drove through the intersection, Ford’s vehicle collided with her rear passenger quarter panel with his front passenger headlight/front bumper area.
This initial collision caused Wands’ vehicle to propel into the northern lane of travel of Creaser Road, where she then collided head-on with a 2021 BMW SUV operated by Wendy Hutchings, 48, Westmoreland, who was northbound on Creaser Road.
After the second collision between Wands and Hutchings Wands’ vehicle propelled in an easterly direction into a series of trees, her vehicle came to rest on the eastern shoulder, a tree-filled area on Creaser Road.
Hutchings’ vehicle came to rest in the middle of the roadway on Creaser Road, just south of the Cooper Street intersection. Ford’s vehicle continued east after rotating one hundred and eighty degrees. It exited the roadway to the southern shoulder. His vehicle stopped in the front yard of an address on Cooper Street.
Rescue personnel evaluated Wands on scene and transported her via AmCare Ambulance to Wynn Hospital after she complained of neck pain. Authorities considered her injuries non-life-threatening.
Emergency personnel evaluated Hutchings on scene and transported her via AmCare Ambulance to Wynn Hospital after she complained of pain to her right leg and left arm. They considered her injuries as non-life-threatening. Ford received evaluation on the scene and declined further medical assistance.
Deputies issued Wands a universal traffic summons for failing to yield the right of way at a stop sign. The ticket is returnable to Westmoreland Town Court at a later date.
The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office ID Unit, New York State Police, Westmoreland Fire Department, and AmCare Ambulance.
