Pedestrians hit while leaving a Fourth of July fireworks show at Emerson Park.
/ Chris McGrath
OWASCO -- The two teenage drivers involved in an accident that left seven pedestrians hurt in Owasco over the weekend are being ticketed. It happened after the Fourth of July fireoworks display near Emerson Park.
19-year-old Adam Hurd, of Auburn, who was driving the 2003 GMC Pickup, was ticketed for failure to reduce speed for special hazards. 19-year-old Tyrel Cochran, of Skaneateles, who was driving a 1995 Volvo, was ticketed for failure to yield right of way to a stop sign.
According to investigators, around 10:16 p.m. Sunday night, Hurd hit Cochran's car as he was pulling out of a parking spot. a pickup truck. The impact pushed Cochran's car into a crowd of people walking along Owasco Road.
Deputies say five adults and two teens were injured in the accident, byt none of the injuries are considered life threatening. Here's a list of the people who were hurt.
David Hyde Age 71 Rochester
Stacy McNeill Age 45 Syracuse
Mary Lou Haney Age 41 Fulton
Carol A McNeill Age 70 Auburn
Steve Atkins Age 31 Auburn
Blake Kurten Age 16 Pennsylvania
Christopher Mosher Age 18 Pennsylvania
Steve Atkins, who sustained minor injuries in the crash, says he was walking with a group of about 40-50 people when he noticed the truck driving down the road. He says it was going too fast, and he heard someone call out for the truck to slow down, but it was too late.
"Even 35 mph, when there's that many people on the side of the road, isn't a safe speed," says Atkins. "You have to use your judgment and caution and slow down even further."
Atkins' nephew Chris Mosher, and Chris' best friend, Blake Kurten were also taken to the hospital after the crash. They both said they felt much better Monday, but the accident was a scary event.
"It happened so quick, you didn't expect it," says Kurten. "You're walking home after seeing beautiful fireworks, and then that happened."
"I just think it's crazy," says Mosher. "Anything can happen at any time."
Jason Rebrovich, who lives near the accident scene, describes the situation as surreal. He says he, his brother-in-law, and several other bystanders rushed to the scene to help.
"It makes you think," says Rebrovich. "Going from a glorious Fourth of July fireworks, everybody having good American fun. It's hard to believe something like that can change somebody's life."
Rebrovich says he's relieved to hear that no one was critically injured in the crash.
Both drivers are scheduled to appear in the Town of Owasco Court on Tuesday, August 16th.
