01/31/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
East Pembroke Fire Department
Chief Don Newton Jr.
January 29, 2026
On January 29, 2026, at approximately 12:18 PM, the East Pembroke Fire Department was initially dispatched to the New York State Thruway westbound near mile marker 394.7 for a reported two-car motor vehicle accident.
At approximately 12:21 PM, the Genesee County Dispatch Office advised Chief Don Newton Jr. (Car 601) that the incident was believed to involve approximately ten vehicles. By 12:23 PM, dispatch updated the report to indicate at least twenty vehicles were involved, with multiple 911 calls reporting additional accidents piling up.
Chief Newton responded to the New York State Thruway, entering from the travel plaza located near mile marker 397 eastbound. While en route, Chief Newton requested that the Town of Batavia Fire Department and the Pembroke Fire Department be placed on standby at their respective stations. He also requested the Genesee County Emergency Management Office respond and that buses be arranged to transport motorists to a warming shelter.
While responding toward the reported westbound accident, Chief Newton observed numerous vehicles and multiple accidents already occurring in the eastbound lanes prior to reaching the Kelsey Road bridge overpass to turn around. Additional tractor-trailers, box trucks, and passenger vehicles were observed involved in accidents in the westbound lanes, with traffic completely blocked.
Upon arrival, Chief Newton requested the New York State Thruway be closed in both the eastbound and westbound directions at Exits 48 and 48A. He requested Town of Batavia Engine 24, East Pembroke Rescue 60, and East Pembroke Squad 57 respond to the scene, and had additional East Pembroke Fire members stand by in the hall for possible deployment and to assist with any other district emergencies.
Genesee County Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator Gary Patnode (GM2) met Chief Newton on scene. Shortly thereafter, Genesee County Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Yager (GM1) established a staging area at the Batavia Exit 48 interchange for incoming buses and ambulances.
Chief Newton and Deputy Coordinator Patnode proceeded through traffic until roadway conditions made further vehicle access impossible due to the extent of the accidents. At that point, both continued on foot—Deputy Coordinator Patnode utilizing the north shoulder of the westbound lanes, and Chief Newton navigating the south shoulder through snowbanks measuring approximately three to four feet in height. Both assessed patients and the severity of accidents while progressing westbound.
East Pembroke Squad 57 accessed the scene by traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes due to complete blockage. Rescue 60 arrived shortly thereafter. Both units deployed crews on foot with full medical equipment, working toward one another to assess patients, provide medical care, and assist injured and uninjured motorists, directing them to the staging area at the beginning of the accident scene via Squad 57.
A plan was developed by Chief Newton and Coordinator Yager to have a Pembroke Central School bus, already en route, enter the Thruway at the travel plaza and be escorted to the scene by Deputy Chief Chuck Chatley (602). Additional ambulances from Mercy EMS, including Medic 1 and Medic 6, were requested and entered the Thruway via the travel plaza traveling east in the westbound lanes.
Town of Batavia Engine 24 arrived on scene and assisted in moving operable vehicles to allow emergency access for Mercy Medic 2 and Squad 1, who were already on location and delayed by traffic while assessing and treating injured patients. A New York State Thruway Authority loader was also deployed to assist in moving tractor-trailers, box trucks, and passenger vehicles to improve access for emergency personnel.
The Pembroke Central School bus transported approximately 15–20 motorists to the Pembroke Travel Plaza for shelter and warming. Mercy EMS units transported multiple patients to area hospitals.
Following initial operations, Chief Newton, East Pembroke firefighters, and Deputy Coordinator Patnode walked approximately 1.6 miles from the beginning to the end of the incident scene to ensure no additional injured or stranded individuals required assistance. At that time, it was estimated that 40–50 vehicles were involved in accidents and rendered undriveable, with many additional vehicles stuck in deep snow off the roadway. It is believed that over 100 vehicles were impacted in total, including wrecked, ditched, or trapped vehicles.
The East Pembroke Fire Department and Fire District would like to thank all responding agencies and personnel for their assistance and professionalism during this large-scale emergency, including:
- East Pembroke Fire Department Members
- Genesee County Office of Emergency Management
- Genesee County Dispatch Center
- Town of Batavia Fire Department, Inc.
- Pembroke Volunteer Fire Co. Inc.
- Mercy Flight
- New York State Fire
- New York State EMS
- Pembroke Central Schools
- New York State Police
- Genesee County Sheriff's Office - Batavia, NY
- NYS Thruway Authority
- Any and all personnel and agencies missed
End of Release
Chief Don Newton Jr. 601
East Pembroke Fire Department/District
