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Driver reportedly not seriously injured after truck slams into rear of semi on Route 63

By Howard B. Owens

Preliminary indications are that the driver of a black pickup involved in a crash this afternoon tried to pass a line of cars stopped behind a semi-truck waiting to make a left-hand turn off of Lewiston Road, Batavia, according to Sheriff's Sgt. James Meier. The pickup driver was not seriously injured.

When the semi driver started to make his turn the pickup driver swerved to get back into the northbound lane and slammed into the back of the trailer.

The semi driver continued his turn and stopped in the driveway of a pair of barns at that location, dragging the pickup truck with its three occupants off the roadway.

The cab of the pickup was smashed like an accordion but the driver is not believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries. He was flown to ECMC by Mercy Flight. His two passengers were taken to ECMC by Mercy EMS.

The names of the people involved have not yet been released.

The accident is under investigation and charges are possible, Meier said.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not hurt.

Batavia fire and Oakfield fire responded to the scene to extricate the driver from the truck and control traffic.

Route 63 remained open during the incident.

UPDATE Wednesday, 7:58 a.m.: The pickup driver is identified as Devin J. Metz, 19, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia. His passengers were Andrew Howard, 17, and Cyle Howard, 20, and Jason Stanley, 20. Stanley was not injured. K.A. Quackenbush, 53, of Perry Road, Pavilion, was the truck driver. Metz was cited for alleged illegal passing on the left.

(Initial Report)

Tim Miller

The occupants of that pickup need to thank the engineers that designed the vehicle's safety systems.

Then the passengers need to give the driver a good slap to the back of the head (NCIS style).

Jul 2, 2013, 4:08pm Permalink
Bob Price

Yes Elizabeth,they are supposed to have a bar. Really can't tell from any pics that are posted anywhere. Doesn't matter if a bar is there or not-we don't know the speed of the pickup,but that bar isn't going to prevent the truck from going underneath trailer. I'm guessing reason you don't see the bar is that it's probably pushed up into floor. If one wasn't present,driver will get ticketed.

Jul 2, 2013, 8:00pm Permalink
Raymond Richardson

Elizabeth,

Yes they are required to have the DOT bar on the back of the trailer; however, you can't tell if that bar is there or not from the pictures posted. I'm sure if that bar was not on the trailer prior to the accident the driver of the tractor trailer would have been cited for it.

Jul 3, 2013, 9:05am Permalink
Bernie Thompson

Just out of curiosity I blew up the last picture and it appears that the truck did have a under-bar.
Could be wrong but it looks as though it was bent inward.

Jul 4, 2013, 8:38am Permalink

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