Medina woman, 28, dies in Carlton crash

Press release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith

CARLTON – A Medina woman is dead and four other people are hospitalized tonight following a two-car crash in the Town of Carlton.

Ashley D. Morehouse, 28, was pronounced dead after the car accident at about 7:10 p.m. at the intersection of Oak Orchard River Road and Waterport Road (State Route 279).

Morehouse was operating a 2000 Pontiac 4-door sedan and travelling west on Oak Orchard River Rd., when she failed to stop for the stop sign at Waterport Road.  Morehouse’s car entered the intersection and was struck by a northbound 2003 Pontiac Suburban operated by Lorrie D. Kuhns, 53, of Batavia. Upon impact, both vehicles ended up off the roadway on the northwest corner of the intersection.

Morehouse was pronounced dead at the scene by Orleans County Coroner Scott Schmidt.  A front-seat passenger in her car is identified as Gary L. Weese, 40, of Batavia. He was flown to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Mercy Flight helicopter.  Morehouse’s 4-year-old son, identified as Dominic Amrhein of Medina, was transported by Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance to Strong. The child was a rear seat passenger in an approved child safety seat.

Lorrie Kuhns and her husband (front-seat passenger) Thomas S. Kuhns, 61, of Batavia were both transported by Medina FD ambulance to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.

Carlton and Albion firefighters responded to this incident. While it remains under investigation, it appears that sun glare may have been a contributing factor.

The on-scene investigation was conducted by Deputy M.J. Emens, assisted by Deputy J.J. Cole, Deputy K.J. Colonna, Lieutenant R.E. Perry, Investigator C.L. Black, and Chief Deputy T.L. Drennan.