Man drives wrong way before fatal crash

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - A wrong-way crash on I-190 South claimed three lives overnight.

State Police believe the that driver, who was traveling the wrong way and crashed into an SUV, might have entered the highway at the Scajaquada Expressway and Ontario Street. That means the driver traveled about seven miles and over the Grand Island Bridge, then crashed. Witnesses say that the accident, that killed three people, was worst thing they've ever seen.

New York State Police say 87-year-old Richard Hildebrand, of Kenmore, was driving the wrong way down the highway when he slammed into an SUV.

One neighbor awoke to the loud crash around 12:45 a.m. Monday.

Grand Island resident Crystal Kirtz said, “If somebody took a sledgehammer and slammed the side of your vehicle with it. It was a pretty loud smash.”

When State Troopers and fire officials arrived on the scene, they found both of the cars on fire. They quickly worked to put it out. According to witnesses, the jaw of life were used to help get at least one person out of the car.

Police say the Shofiul Alom, Nazim Khan and Rezwan Chowdhury, from Michigan, were killed in the crash. The drivers of the SUV and car are listed in critical condition at ECMC.

For Kirtz, she says the scene was horrific and it's something she'll always remember.

Kirtz said, “It happened all so fast. And I was just kind of more of like in shock to think that you know something like that happened right outside my bedroom window.”

Eighteen-year-old Burhanar Rahman was driving the SUV. Monday morning police shut down the highway at the Whitehaven Exit. It was reopened hours later.