A UB student is in critical condition after he was struck by an off-duty police officer Wednesday morning.
Police identified the driver as 62-year-old Mary Pat Kaempf, a detective who worked for the Buffalo police for nearly 40 years, according to The Buffalo News.
Police asked UB to release the student's name on Thursday: Kevin Guichard, a 19-year-old undergraduate engineering student from Long Island. Guichard is a member of the fraternity Delta Sigma Phi, according to multiple sources.
“The university is in close contact with Kevin's family and friends, and we are providing whatever assistance we can during this very difficult time, including making arrangements for the family's stay in Buffalo. The entire UB community remains hopeful that Kevin will make a full recovery from his injuries,” UB spokesperson John Della Contrada said.
Guichard suffered a serious head injury and is in critical condition at Erie County Medical Center, according to Buffalo Police Captain Jeff Rinaldo.
“[Kaempf] is being cooperative and she’s extremely distraught,” Rinaldo said. “We are doing a canvas for video footage from private businesses or city cameras at Main and Highgate.”
Rinaldo said the cameras pan constantly and is uncertain if any footage will be secured.
The incident took place around 5:45 a.m. on Main Street near Custer Street. A portion of Main Street was closed following the accident.
This is the third time this year a member of the Buffalo police has struck a pedestrian.
Because of federal privacy laws, the university cannot provide an update on Guichard's condition, according to Della Contrada.
This is a developing story.
Max is a news editor and can be reached at max.kalnitz@ubspectrum.comand @Max_Kalnitz.
