By Bert Gambini
Amherst, NY – Amherst police say neither drugs nor alcohol played a role in the crash that killed a couple sitting inside a restaurant on the 1500 block of Niagara Falls Boulevard.
56-year-old Joseph and 52-year-old Kathryn Bennett of Wilson died after a van drove the front window of Cheeburger-Cheeburger on Saturday night.
The couple's 13-year-old son Matthew was hurt in the crash. He was treated for a collasped lung, but was released from Women & Children's Hospital.
The driver, 76-year-old Beverly Kasmore-Torbert was pulling into a parking spot, when the vehicle accelerated and smashed through the front window of the restaurant.
A fourth person was also injured. 20-year-old Kelly Weber, a waitress, was treated for minor injuries at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Amherst and later released.
Mechanical issues will be investigated next, including an analysis of the van's crash data recorder.
A fund has been established for Mattew, in care of Gloria Kreiley, 5 Perrys Way, Dansville, NY 14437.