HAMBURG, N.Y. — An Angola man was arrested after a child died in a car crash that happened Saturday night in Hamburg.
The two-car crash happened around 8:10 p.m. along Route 5, near the intersection with North Creek Road.
Town of Hamburg Police said Sunday afternoon that an eastbound car on Route 5 had stopped to make a left turn onto North Creek Road when it was struck from behind. Markus Genovese, 52, of Angola was identified as the driver of that truck.
The roadway was closed for several hours during the investigation process.
Police said the child who died was 8-year-old Thomas Ross of Blasdell, who was a rear-seat passenger in the vehicle that was struck. A 4-year-old passenger was also injured and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and is now at home.
Ross was a second-grade student at Blasdell Elementary School, according to a Frontier Central School District statement that was issued late Sunday night.
"This is a tragic loss for the entire Frontier District, and especially for his friends, teachers and staff at Blasdell Elementary. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family at this difficult time," Frontier superintendent Christopher Swiatek said in the statement.
Grief counseling will be available to students and staff on Monday, the school district said.
"After the collision, Markus Genovese fled the scene but was later apprehended by the Town of Hamburg Police while attempting to hide in a nearby backyard," the police department said in a statement.
Genovese was taken by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center, where he was placed under arrest by Town of Hamburg Police.
The charges Genovese faces include DWI; DWI by the combination of alcohol and narcotics; two counts of vehicular manslaughter; felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of a fatal auto accident. He was also cited for several vehicle and traffic law violations.
Genovese is being held without bail. A felony hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Hamburg Town Court.
A search of the New York State electric court filing system did not show any future court dates for Genovese.
Anyone who saw the accident or has any relevant information to is asked to contact Officer Eric Wilson of the Town of Hamburg Police Accident Investigation Unit at 716-648-5111 ext. 2571.
The mother of Thomas Ross, Heather Van Elk, posted public message on Facebook from their family about their son.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help family with medical and funeral expenses. If you wish to donate, you can do that here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-heathers-family-through-tragic-loss