Man faces charges in nearly fatal crash

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Lackawanna man faced charges Wednesday morning in an accident that very nearly killed a young mother from East Amherst.

The DA's office was able to make an arrest after receiving toxicology results that show Steven Cavarello was under the influence of drugs, all of that spelled out in a criminal complaint.

Thirty-year-old Steven Cavarello of Lackawanna pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated, under the influence of drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance and vehicular assault.

Prosecutors say Cavarello was behind the wheel of a white Pontiac, this past September in south Buffalo, when he caused a major car crash that seriously injured Sarah Gregory, she lost part of her left leg.

"A Buffalo Fireman said that was such a severe injury that probably saved her life, that's what God put me on the earth for, thank you God," said Edgar King, who helped save Gregory's life.

Edgar King and another man came to the rescue that day, "And I got a tourniquet on her, it cost me a belt but I don't care, and I got my Swiss army knife out, punched a hole in the belt and we cinched it down real good and tight," said King.

Almost two months since the accident, Sarah Gregory's attorney says she is still in the hospital. "She's a fighter, it's tough she's still battling through this. She's got a great attitude, great family support," said Civil Attorney Steve Boyd.

Boyd says Gregory will likely file a civil law suit in the coming weeks, against Cavarello and others involved in the accident.

"Right now we're in the process of researching exactly who's going to be sued and under what basis," said Boyd.

A judge set bail at $100,000 for Steven Cavarello. He is expected back in court next week for a felony hearing.