Newfane, NY (April 9, 2026) – Several people were hurt on Wednesday evening, April 8, after a crash at the intersection of Day Rd and Wheeler Rd in Niagara County.
Emergency units were called to the scene around 6:16 p.m. after a pickup truck traveling north failed to stop at a posted sign and entered the intersection. The truck then struck an SUV moving east through the crossing.
The impact caused the pickup truck to roll over multiple times. Two passengers inside were thrown from the vehicle, including a 13-year-old child.
Officials said neither passenger in the pickup truck was wearing a seatbelt at the time. Both suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the SUV was also seriously hurt, though those injuries were not considered life-threatening. All three people were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The pickup truck driver, identified as 50-year-old Jonpaul Oliver of Franklinton, North Carolina, was found to be under the influence of drugs. Authorities filed multiple charges, including impaired driving involving a child passenger and child endangerment. Additional charges may follow.
The police continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
We are thinking of those injured as they receive medical care.
How Seatbelt Use and Impairment Affect Crash Outcomes
Seatbelts help keep people inside a vehicle during a crash. When a vehicle rolls over, those not wearing restraints face a higher risk of being thrown out. Ejection often leads to more serious injuries, even in crashes that might otherwise be survivable.
Impairment from drugs can also reduce a driver’s reaction time and awareness. This can lead to missed traffic signs or unsafe decisions at intersections. Combining these factors can increase the chance of a crash and worsen the outcome.
Intersections are common sites for collisions, especially when drivers fail to yield or stop as required. Paying close attention to road signs and staying alert can help reduce the likelihood of these incidents.
