A young female is fighting for her life after being ejected from a vehicle during a single-vehicle rollover crash on Buffalo Avenue. The incident occurred near Hyde Park Blvd around 3:45am on Thursday, August 8th.
Emergency crews swiftly responded to the scene and discovered an unoccupied and heavily damaged 2008 Saturn Aura in a nearby field. Officers conducted a thorough search of the area and found the female, believed to be the driver, lying approximately 30 feet away from the vehicle. She was ejected from the vehicle.
Niagara Falls Fire and AMR were called to the scene to provide medical assistance. The injured female was quickly transported by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) with life-threatening injuries. She remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is facing multiple upcoming surgeries.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the vehicle was traveling westbound on Buffalo Avenue when it veered off the roadway on the east side of Hyde Park Boulevard. The vehicle continued across the intersection, colliding with a street sign and trees on the Northwest corner before rolling approximately 300 feet and coming to a rest upright in the field. The crash is currently under investigation by the N.F.P.D. Crash Investigation Unit. It is unknown at this time what contributed to the crash, whether it be another vehicle or a medical condition. However, it is believed that alcohol or drugs were not a factor.
Officers conducted a thorough search of the area using a drone operated by the UAV team, but no other occupants were found. The victim, identified as Lana Lucarini, recently graduated from Niagara Falls High School in June. She was an avid basketball player and had aspirations of playing in college. Additionally, Lana was a talented artist who enjoyed drawing and painting.
Lana's injuries are extensive, including broken ribs, neck, jaw, eye sockets, severe damage to her eyes, lacerations to her arms, brain bleeding, and a collapsed lung. Her recovery will require multiple surgeries, procedures, and therapies over an extended period of time.
To support Lana and her family during this challenging time, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up. Friends, family and loved ones of the Lucarini Family, who are facing the financial burden of uncovered medical expenses, loss of wages due to ongoing medical care, and temporary lodging near the hospital, are seeking community assistance to support the family.
If you would like to donate, you can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-lana-lucarinis-road-to-recovery.
A statement on the GoFundMe page reads, "Due to a recent tragedy, the Lucarini Family has been forced to face the challenge of a lifetime. Their precious daughter, Lana, a recent high school graduate, sustained life-threatening and life-altering injuries in a horrific car accident. Please consider donating to this worthy cause. The financial burden for the family includes uncovered medical expenses, loss of wages due to ongoing medical care, and temporary lodging for close proximity to the hospital. Thank you to everyone who is able to donate. No donation is too small. We greatly appreciate your support."
The investigation into the crash is ongoing and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward - Community Rallying for Niagara Falls Teenager in Critical Condition After Horrific Motor Vehicle Accident.