A man who drove his car into the Erie Canal early Monday was officially pronounced dead at DeGraff Memorial Hospital shortly thereafter.
Donald Kreuter, 43, of Tonawanda Creek Road in Amherst, a double amputee and Persian Gulf War veteran, was pulled from the car after entering the canal near Sweeney and Main streets in North Tonawanda, according to North Tonawanda Detective Lt. Tom Krantz.
North Tonawanda police received the call at 1:38 a.m., Krantz said. Kreuter was underwater for at least 10 minutes when his body was brought back to the surface by the North Tonawanda dive team.
Though Kreuter was taken to DeGraff, where he was officially declared deceased, he was likely already dead when the dive team pulled him from the water, Krantz said.
Kreuter’s Honda Accord was parked in the lot near the Dockside Inn on Sweeney Street when he drove the car over the curb stop and sidewalk and into the canal, striking and damaging a boat on the way, Krantz said. The car was 34 feet out into the canal when it was located. Kreuter was the only person in the car.
The reason for the tragic accident was unclear, Krantz said.
“It’s under investigation,” he said. “It could be accidental or intentional, we don’t know, and we may never know.”
A North Tonawanda volunteer firefighter attempted to rescue Kreuter by jumping in to save him, but he was unable to, Krantz said.
Eyewitness John Keleman talked to Tonawanda News partner WKBW Channel 7 about the accident, recounting a harrowing scene.
“I heard a loud crash up across the canal,” Keleman told Channel 7. “I saw a car coming over the parking bumpers. It went over the wall and crashed right into a boat."
Keleman went on to describe the firefighter’s attempted rescue effort.
"There were a couple of fishermen over here,” he said. “One of them I believe was a North Tonawanda fireman. He came running down the dock. He jumped in and he was trying to break windows. The car just went down too fast for him.”
Alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the accident, but it’s unclear at this time, Krantz said.
Kreuter’s two prosthetic legs may have also affected him during the crash, Krantz said.
There is also a chance that Kreuter may have accidentally put the car into drive instead of reverse, Krantz said, considering the short distance between the parking spot and the canal. Kreuter’s car was facing the canal, which was less than 20 feet from where his car was parked.
“That is definitely a possibility,” Krantz said.
Contact reporter Phil Dzikiy at 693-1000, ext. 114.
Multimedia
Related Photos
VIDEO: Amherst man drives into Erie Canal early Monday, drowns
- Multimedia
-
-
102nd T-NT Classic
North Tonawanda runs over Tonawanda 40-14 in the 102nd T-NT matchup at North Tonawanda
-
Dan Aykroyd visits with fans in Niagara Falls New York
Niagara Falls - Hollywood actor Dan Aykroyd visits with fans on Saturday afternoon at Super Market Liquors and Wines, 8438 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Niagara Falls, New York. Hundreds of fans lined up to meet the Canadian born comedian, actor, screenwriter, musician and winemaker. Aykroyd, who was given the key to the city of Niagara Falls, signed bottles of his Crystel Head vodka as well as memoriabilia from his career. Aykroyd thanked the mayor for the honor and also thanked the city for staging next week's 4th Annual Blues Festival. Aykroyd's most enduring role was that of Jake Elwood, one half of the Blues Brothers, along with the late John Belushi. The movie, by the same name, was released in 1980 and rejuvenate interest in the blues.
-
NIAGARA COUNTY HIT BY DAMAGING WINDSTORM
High winds caused wide spread damage to trees powe lines and property Thursday morning and after noon as winds up to 83 miles per hour pounded Niagara County. The City of Niagara Falls was hit the hardest with an estimated 50 power lines and countless trees toppled. A driving warning was issued by Mayor Paul Dyster in the city due to the danger of falling trees and power lines.
-
SLIDE SHOW OF WINTER STORM THAT HITS NIAGARA FALLS
WINTER STORM HITS NIAGARA FALLS
-
NIAGARA GAZETTE: SUNDAY SNAPS 01/02/2010
NIAGARA GAZETTE: SUNDAY SNAPS 01/02/2010
-
NIAGARA GAZETTE SUNDAY SNAP SHOTS 12/19/2010
NIAGARA GAZETTE SUNDAY SNAP SHOTS 12/19/2010
-
SUNDAY SNAPS 12/05/2010
SUNDAY SNAPS 12/05/2010
-
WINTER WEATHER FINALLY ARRIVES IN NIAGARA COUNTY
WINTER WEATHER FINALLY ARRIVES IN NIAGARA COUNTY
-
NIAGARA GAZETTE SUNDAY SNAPS SLIDE SHOW 11/7/2010
NIAGARA GAZETTE SUNDAY SNAPS SLIDE SHOW 11/7/2010
-
Sunday Snaps slideshow 9/19/2010
SUNDAY SNAPS SLIDESHOW
- More Multimedia Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
