Multiple Injuries, Including One Critical, at Motor Vehicle Mess at Rye’s Westmed Complex

Rye PD has issued a report on a chain of events just outside of the enterance to Rye's Westmed complex on Theall Road and the Playland Access Road. Multiple injuries were reported including Mariela Leech, age 79 of Rye, and a woman from White Plains who was reported in critical condition.

Here is the PD report:

On October 17, 2016 at approximately 3:36 p.m., Rye Police responded to WESTMED located at 1 Theall Road on a report of a serious motor vehicle accident with multiple injuries.

Upon police arrival, a 2014 Toyota, was observed on the sidewalk near the front entrance of the facility crashed into 2010 Lexus, occupied by Mariela Leech, age 79 of Rye. The Toyota was operated by Lucy Piombino, age 55 of Harrison. According to officers on scene, Ms. Piombino appeared to be in a state of shock, while Ms. Leech claimed minor injuries.

Simultaneously, WESTMED medical staff were tending to a female, Amy Friedman, age 66 of White Plains who was a pedestrian on the sidewalk. Ms. Friedman was apparently on the sidewalk when she was struck by the 2014 Toyota, thrown up onto the hood of the car striking the windshield then falling under the vehicle and run over by same. The husband of Ms. Friedman, Jacob Friedman, age 70, was also struck and complained of head and neck pain.

Mr. and Mrs. Friedman were both transported to Westchester Medical Center. Mrs. Friedman appeared to be in critical condition with possible spinal injuries. Mr. Friedman’s condition is unknown at this time. The driver of the Lexus, Ms. Leech was transported to Greenwich Hospital with minor  injuries.

Additionally, a five year old boy who was in the company of his mother was also struck by the 2014 Toyota and thrown into a metal park bench sustaining a head injury. The child and mother were rushed into WESTMED’S urgent care facility where medical staff attended to his injuries. Ultimately, the child was transported to Westchester Medical Center for a laceration to his head. Ms. Piombino appeared uninjured and was transported to White Plains Hospital for evaluation. 

Rye Police Commissioner Michael C. Corcoran, Jr. stated that “This is an active on- going investigation. Preliminarily, it appears the Toyota jumped the curb from a handicapped parking spot and hit a parked car, a parking baluster, the child, the pedestrians, a walkway column light, and another parking baluster and ultimately came to a stop when it crashed into the Lexus. 

At this point, this appears to be an accident. However, we are considering all aspects in this investigation before we render a final determination as to causation. Finally, Corcoran, stated that, “I want to commend all emergency services, Police, Fire and EMS as well as the staff at WESTMED for their quick action in managing a chaotic scene and tending to all victims. This was teamwork at its finest.”

You can also head the LoHud.com write-up.