Students headed back to school in crash

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - The back to school ride took a terrifying turn for a bunch of middle and high school students in the northtowns on Tuesday.

Talk about a teachable moment. Three teens were rushed to the hospital after a horrible head-on collision as they were headed to various schools in WNY.

It wasn't a pretty sight. You can see the damage to both vehicles was quite extensive, and the accident itself left the occupants of those cars visibly shaken.

City of Tonawanda Schools Superintendent Dr. Whitney Vantine said, "Bad as it was, it was an accident, not a good situation. As I said to mom, you can replace the car. You can't replace your kids."

Dr. Vantine marked the beginning of the new academic year by rushing to Fletcher and Delaware after learning that three of his students were involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle occupied by two students from other school districts. Police say a 17-year-old city of Tonawanda High School student was driving her siblings to school in a white car when witnesses claim she made a left turn into oncoming traffic. The motorist and passenger in the blue car were unable to stop in time.

Tonawanda Fire Assistant Fire Chief Joe Bacon said, "The one car had to do extraction and take the roof off of the car to access one patient."

Both occupants in the blue car were taken to the hospital, as was one of the passengers in the white car.

"From what I understand, they're fine. They'll feel the impact tomorrow and next day, but what I hear is they're okay," said Dr. Vantine.

Once again, this type of accident puts the spotlight on teen drivers and the importance of reminding them often about the rules of the road. With school now in session, it's especially critical.

Dr. Vantine warned, "Be careful, particularly young drivers. It's a lethal weapon. You be careful with that, and everyone needs to be mindful, particularly in school zones."

Police say the teen driver was not texting, or on the cell when the crash occurred.