An Angola man has been charged in connection to a tragic crash that claimed the life of an 8-year-old boy in Hamburg. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 8, on Route 5 when the boy, identified as Thomas Ross, was sitting in the back seat of his mother's car.
According to the Hamburg Police, the mother's car was rammed from behind while they were stopped to make a left turn onto North Creek Road around 8:10 p.m. The collision was described as horrific by Hamburg Police Captain Todd Ehret, who arrived at the scene and immediately realized the severity of the situation. The rear of the vehicle had been crumpled, and the driver who struck them had fled the scene.
Thomas, also known as "Tommy," tragically lost his life at the scene of the crash. A four-year-old passenger in the car was taken to the hospital for treatment and has since been discharged.
After an extensive search, the alleged driver was eventually tracked down and arrested by Hamburg Police. The suspect, identified as 52-year-old Markus Genovese of Angola, was found in a nearby backyard.
Genovese has been charged with several offenses including driving while intoxicated (DWI), DWI by the combination of alcohol and narcotics, two counts of vehicular manslaughter, felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of a fatal auto accident. He has also been cited for multiple vehicle and traffic law violations.
Captain Ehret emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating, "The manslaughter charges are serious, the leaving the scene of a fatal injury accident is a serious charge and is also a felony."
Further investigation revealed that Genovese had a history of run-ins with the law. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, his license had been revoked due to 10 unresolved suspensions.
The tragic loss of Thomas has deeply affected the community, particularly his family, friends, and classmates. The Frontier School District, where Thomas attended Blasdell Elementary School, called in counselors to provide support to students and staff. Superintendent Christopher Swiatek expressed the school's commitment to helping the students cope with the loss acknowledging the difficulty of discussing such a tragedy with second-graders.
Members of Tommy's family have requested privacy during this difficult time. However, his mother, Heather Van Elk, shared a heartfelt message on her Facebook page, describing her son as a vibrant and talented boy who loved life and brought joy to those around him.
To assist the family with medical and funeral expenses, a GoFundMe account has been set up. Donations can be made at the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-heathers-family-through-tragic-loss](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-heathers-family-through-tragic-loss.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and authorities are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served for Thomas and his family.