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AMHERST, Erie County, N.Y., Oct. 1, 2026 — Three vehicles collided on Tuesday morning, September 29, on eastbound I-290 near the Main Street overpass in Amherst, N.Y. Five people were being evaluated for injuries, the Snyder Fire Department reported.
The crash happened on the eastbound side of I-290 under the Main Street overpass, according to the fire department, which served as the primary responding agency. It was not immediately clear how the three vehicles came together or whether any lanes were blocked for an extended period.
Crews on scene were evaluating five patients. The extent of their injuries has not been released, and it is not known how many required transport to a hospital.
The circumstances that led to the crash remain under investigation. No further details on the vehicles involved or the people inside them have been released as of Tuesday.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
A Common Misconception About Multi-Vehicle Crashes
Many drivers assume that most people hurt or killed in a crash involving several vehicles are riding inside the cars that collided. That is not always the case. A meaningful share of the people hurt in these events are outside a vehicle altogether, including pedestrians, cyclists, and people who have already pulled over or stopped on the roadway.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. That figure is a reminder that the danger of a multi-vehicle wreck is not confined to the people inside the cars that strike each other.
On a highway like I-290, that risk extends to first responders working close to live traffic and to occupants of other vehicles who become involved after the initial impact. The chain reaction that follows an initial collision can pull in people who had nothing to do with how it started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does following distance matter so much in highway traffic?
A longer gap between vehicles gives a driver more time to react if the car ahead brakes suddenly or stops. On busy stretches like I-290, short following distances are a common factor in chain-reaction collisions.
Do crashes like this usually lead to a second, separate collision?
Yes. Once a crash blocks a lane or slows traffic, following vehicles can strike the stopped cars or each other before responders arrive, especially on highways with higher speeds and limited sight lines.
Why are multi-vehicle crashes harder to investigate than single-car wrecks?
Investigators have to determine the order of impacts, how each vehicle was moving before the crash, and how responsibility may be shared across several drivers, which takes longer than a crash with only one vehicle involved.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Amherst, NY
If you are involved in a highway crash with several vehicles, move to a safe area away from traffic if you are able to, and call 911 right away. Turn on hazard lights and, if safe, set out flares or triangles to warn approaching drivers.
Seek medical evaluation even if you feel fine at the scene. Some injuries, particularly to the neck, back, or head, are not obvious right away and can worsen without treatment. Keep a record of what you observe, including the time, location, and vehicles involved, and get the responding agency's report number for your records.
