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Buffalo, NY (September 5, 2026) – A 36-year-old wheelchair user died after being struck by a vehicle on the Bailey Avenue bridge at about 11:15 p.m. on Thursday, September 3. Emergency units found the victim unconscious but alive in the center of the roadway between West Shore Avenue and Pullman Place.
Witnesses said the men had been traveling southbound in his wheelchair while positioned in the northbound lane. An unidentified northbound vehicle struck him and left before stopping.
The collision ejected the men from the wheelchair, which continued into the southbound lane and was then struck by a second vehicle. The occupants of that vehicle stopped and tried to provide aid until help arrived.
The injured victim was taken to Erie County Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
The hit-and-run accident remains under investigation. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones.
Why Are Wheelchair Users Especially Vulnerable in Traffic?
People using wheelchairs can face serious risks when traveling near moving vehicles. They have no protective structure around them, and their seated position may place much of the body near the height of a vehicle’s front end.
Visibility can also be a challenge, especially at night or on roads without dedicated pedestrian space. A wheelchair may sit lower than surrounding traffic, making its user harder to see behind parked cars, barriers, or other roadside features.
Vehicle speed, lighting, road design, and the direction of contact can influence the severity of harm. A wheelchair user may also be thrown from the chair when struck, exposing the body to additional force from the pavement or nearby objects. These factors can increase the risk of severe head, chest, spinal, and limb trauma.
