Woman hospitalized after crash in Carlton

Driver needed to be extricated from wooded embankment

Press release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith

CARLTON – An Orleans County woman is hospitalized following a one-car crash Saturday night in the town of Carlton.

The incident occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m., in the 1400 block of Oak Orchard River Road.  Sandra M. Flanagan (sole occupant), of Kent, was operating a 2004 Ford Taurus westbound on Oak Orchard River Rd., when she failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle crossed the center line and ran off the south side of the roadway.  The vehicle jumped a guard rail and rolled approximately 100 feet down a steep and heavily wooded embankment that leads to Oak Orchard River. The vehicle came to rest upside down against a tree.

Flanagan was trapped in the wreckage for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes before being extricated by Carlton and Albion firefighters. Once removed from the vehicle, she was brought back up the embankment by Rope Rescue Teams from the Clarendon and Holley fire departments. Flanagan was then flown to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Mercy Flight helicopter.  A crew from Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance also assisted at the scene.

While the incident remains under investigation, it appears that both alcohol and unsafe speed were contributing factors.  Charge(s) against Flanagan are pending her recovery.

The incident was investigated by Deputy K.J. Colonna, assisted by Deputy J.W. Halstead and Sergeant G.T. Gunkler.