Police: baby hurt in drunk driving crash

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) - Police blame drunk driving for a crash in Niagara County that left three people hurt as well as an infant now hospitalized with serious injuries.

The accident happened late Wednesday night. Kourtney Weiler was sitting outside Kenyons on Robinson Road in Lockport. She says a car ran a red light, hydroplaned, crashed and rolled twice.

"It was like the most intense car accident I've ever seen... ever," Weiler said. "When they hydroplaned, it was almost like in slow motion... like it slowed down when they barrel rolled."

Weiler called 911 and ran to help. Three adults were inside, as well as a 1-month-old baby boy in the back seat.

Weiler said, "That scared me the most. I mean, that was unbelievable. She was just like, 'My baby, my 1-month-old son, get him out of the car, help me!' - like that was her main concern as she was crawling out of the back."

For the family's sake, the accident couldn't have happened in a better place. They were able to get out of the weather and find shelter at Kenyons and they were right across the street from the Lockport State Police Barracks. Trooper Brad Gulczewski rushed to respond.

"At least the good thing was that he was crying. So it meant that he was all right," Gulczewski said. "A lot of people had multiple contusions, injuries - a lot of cuts, scrapes, bleeding."

Gulczewski says the driver, Thaddeus Nicpon, was drunk behind the wheel, which he finds especially upsetting because of the infant in the car.

"We try and not let that bother us and do what we have to do," Gulczewski said. "Children always take precedence, but we try and do what we have to do."

Nicpon was charged with felony DWI under Leandra's Law. Weiler hopes he's shown no mercy.

"The weather's bad outside, why would you get in the car with a drunk driver to begin with? I couldn't fathom that, especially with a newborn," she said.

Nicpon was taken to Erie County Medical Center where he was treated and released. The baby boy was taken to Children's Hospital where police say he's listed in critical but stable condition.

Police say that the family was saved from more serious harm largely because they were all wearing buckled in, including the baby.