The Democrat and Chronicle
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Police officers today are investigating a head-on crash that injured an on-duty officer just before midnight.
Officer Andrew Klein was driving a patrol vehicle east on Magnolia Street, when another vehicle crashed into the moving patrol car at the corner of Magnolia and Seward streets at 11:55 p.m., said acting Capt. Tony McMullen. He said it appeared that Ray Knight Jr., 48, of Rochester, was driving south on Seward and was traveling at an excessive speed when he failed to negotiate a turn and turned into oncoming traffic on Magnolia and into the patrol vehicle.
Both drivers sustained lacerations to their heads in the crash and were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment, McMullen said. Officer Klein, who was on patrol at the time of the accident, needed 15 staples to close the wound, McMullen said.
Klein was treated and released and is recovering at home today, said Rochester Police Lt. Wayne Harris. Klein has been a member of the department for about one year, he said.
Knight was listed in guarded condition at Strong, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Just before the crash, Knight drove into and severed a tree on Seward, McMullen said.
McMullen said it appeared that alcohol was a factor in the crash. Knight was charged with reckless driving, speed not reasonable and for driving through at least two stop signs, McMullen said. Additional charges are pending.
Copyright 2008 The Democrat and Chronicle