Afternoon News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on January 3, 2024
Police have identified the two victims killed in the fiery New Year’s Day crash outside the Kodak Center. 28 year old Justina Hughes of Geneva and 29 year old Joshua Orr of Webster, were passengers of an Uber vehicle that was struck by Michael Avery, the 35-year-old suspect from Syracuse. Police say Avery was driving a rented vehicle full of gas cans when he sped up toward pedestrians who were just leaving a concert at the Kodak Center, causing the collision that caused an explosion and a large blaze that took crews more than an hour to extinguish. Avery died from his injuries, while nine other pedestrians were hurt, including one person with life-altering injuries. Police have not been able to find a motive for the crash and said he did not leave a suicide note.
A Pittsford woman who went missing in the early hours of New Year’s Day has been found dead. The body of 33 year old Jennifer Hicks was recovered Tuesday afternoon from the bottom of an embankment between Scio Street and Portland Avenue, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Hicks was reportedly last seen alive Monday around 2:30 a.m. at Ziggy’s bar on Railroad Street in Rochester. Deputies said there didn’t appear to be any signs of foul play in Hicks’ death. Investigators are working with the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death.
The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly crash in the Town of Perry. The crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. on December 29 at the intersection of State Route 20A and Silver Lake Road. The sheriff’s office said it was determined that 78-year-old Carolyn Robb of the Town of Perry was driving east on State Route 20A when she drove into the rear of a stopped vehicle that was waiting to make a left turn. According to the sheriff’s office, CPR was performed at the scene on Robb by passing motorists and first responders. She was then transported to Strong Memorial Hospital and later died from her injuries.
A 29-year-old woman has been ticketed after she crashed her SUV into a building on the city’s west side early this morning. Officers responded around 3 a.m. to Dewey Avenue and found an abandoned white SUV stuck inside Lin’s Tax Service. The driver was found nearby uninjured and ticketed for leaving the scene of an accident and aggravated unlicensed operation. Due to the uncertainty of the building’s structural integrity, authorities decided to leave the vehicle inside. Authorities also say that the crash caused water to build up underground and flood the roadways nearby.
An 8 year old boy in Buffalo got a second Christmas Tuesday morning when his favorite Bills player came to meet him. Thaddeus Rathke’s Christmas morning reaction to opening a Bills helmet signed by Hall of Fame Running Back Thurmon Thomas went viral online and was seen by the player. The boy also put out that meeting Thomas was at the top of his 2024 goals for the year. Thomas surprised Rathke while he was shopping at a Bills clothing store and signed many other items for him. Thomas also told Rathke that he is the “best ever” and gave him some life advice for meeting his other goals.
GO ART! is seeking submission for an upcoming exhibit, This Art is Garbage which provides artists an opportunity to explore the possibilities of garbage and waste as a medium for creativity. Artists are asked to redirect items that would normally be thrown away, into works of art. Open to artists of all skill levels, we are actively seeking submissions from students, emerging artists, and professionals. Garbage is a theme that connects us all and we hope to showcase a wide variety of skill levels and perspectives. There is no entry fee and works can be dropped off between February 7th and 10th.
