Car crashes through wall at Avon-on-the-Green

Photo by Jeff Arnold

Morning commuters in Avon were witness to a freak accident that sent a car airborne through Avon Village Park into a senior citizen’s apartment last Wednesday around 7:30 a.m.

Driver David Gunther, 49, of Avon failed to make the turn on the large Route 5&20 roundabout in downtown Avon. His car jumped the curb into the village park, struck a flowerbed, sheared the top off a park bench and finally came to a stop in the living room of James Buske, 81, a resident of Avon-on-the-Green Apartments, says Avon Police Chief James Carney.

No charges have been filed against driver David Gunther, 49, of Avon, who was suffering a seizure when he lost control of his car.

Emergency workers found Buske, 81, trapped beneath debris in his kitchen. He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester in guarded condition. Gunther was also taken to Strong, but was listed in stable condition.

“We know speed was a factor based on how far the car went into the building,” he said. “Beyond that, we’re still investigating.”

Thirty-five other residents were evacuated from the building — many finding shelter with family or friends. Those that had no other means got help from the Livingston County chapter of the American Red Cross.

By Friday, the north half of the building was reopened, but the south half is still closed until building inspectors deem those units safe for occupation.

The Avon Police Department is continuing to investigate the accident. Livingston County Sheriff’s Department, Avon Fire Department, East Avon Fire Department, Avon Ambulance, and Livonia Ambulance assisted at the scene.