Police, prosecutors probe involvement of drugs or alcohol in gorge crash
The crash of a pick-up truck into the Niagara Gorge is being investigated as a possible case of impaired driving.
The investigation, described as in its 'very early stages,' is now being overseen by prosecutors from the Niagara County District Attorney's Office Vehicular Crimes Bureau. There are unconfirmed reports that police investigators with the New York State Park Police found evidence of drug and alcohol use inside the wrecked 2008 Toyota Tundra that now rests just off the shoreline of the Niagara River rapids.
Park Police said they responded to a call near the Aquarium of Niagara at around 6:25 p.m. Wednesday. A passer-by, walking on the gorge upper trail, told officers that she had come across a man who appeared to be suffering from multiple injuries, including cuts and broken bones.
The victim, who was identified as a 42-year-old Niagara Falls man, told Park Police officers that he had driven his truck through a fence and into the Niagara Gorge in the area of Depot Avenue near the Whirlpool Bridge.
Officers said the driver told them he survived the 150-foot plunge down the steep face of the gorge and was able to get out of his heavily damaged vehicle. He told police he was then able to walk down the gorge trail and up a set of stairs to the top of the gorge.
He said he walked 'about a mile toward the Aquarium.'
The man was treated at the scene and then taken to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for treatment of what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.
Park police were able to locate tire tracks and a section of the damaged fence just north of the Whirlpool Bridge. Officers walked down the gorge stairs to the lower trail and located the truck near the bottom of the gorge.
They said a cluster of trees and heavy brush stopped the truck from rolling into the rapids.
After searching the wreck and the area around it using a drone, police determined that no one else had been involved in the crash. Another search of the crash site Thursday morning also failed to turn up any evidence of anyone else being involved.
The area around the crash site has been closed off. A state parks spokesperson said park police are 'investigating means to remove the car from the gorge.'
Investigators from the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation are also assisting in the probe of the incident.
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