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Car reportedly strikes pole on South Jackson Street

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly struck a pole in the area of 309 S. Jackson St., Batavia.

Unknown injuries.

Wires are down on the road.

City Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding. Law enforcement on scene.

UPDATE 2:19 a.m.: The driver reportedly fled the scene. The only description is he was wearing a sweatshirt.  He ran east on South Jackson.

UPDATE 3:26 a.m.: The alleged driver returned to the scene. He immediately started picking up his sporting equipment strewn in the road until a police officer came over and began an interview with him. The driver said he left the scene because he panicked. He said he didn't think he was going that fast, "but obviously I was." Adding, "my car is totaled." After a brief chat with police officers, he was examined by Mercy medics. He complained of back pain. He was transported by private vehicle to UMMC where he will be questioned further.  National Grid arrived on scene just before 3 a.m. City firefighters cleared the scene at 3:20 a.m. The pole replacement work is expected to take several hours. The identity of the driver has not been released yet.


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Bernie Thompson

Only my opinion but personally I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often on South Jackson Street.Once dusk arrives it's like a Drag Strip from Stop sign to Stop sign.I have seen vehicles fly through the STOP SIGN at the corner of Liberty and S. Jackson (in front of Max Pies).Friday and Saturday nights are the worst.Maybe it's just me but I have a hard time with that---- I didn't think I was going that fast excuse?

Oct 18, 2011, 8:57am Permalink
Robert Caplick

Holy hell how fast do you need to go to break a pole in half?! Hate to see such a tragic scene, but that was just reckless & stupid...

Oct 18, 2011, 12:24pm Permalink
George Richardson

I'm jaded for sure but how about this scenerio. Brother, sister, friend, relative wrecks your insured car while DUI and runs away to tell the totally sober insured owner what happened. Owner returns to the wreck and starts collecting his stuff about the time the police show up. Owner says: Oh I panicked, and it does happen. Like I said, I watch too many crime shows and I have a general distrust of everyone.

Oct 18, 2011, 1:21pm Permalink
George Richardson

Damn, I don't care about the pole, or the car, but someone needs to look into doctoring that tree. I could be there to hug it, and kiss it, by Friday if Howard will wire me the money to "Occupy Batavia." Paypal works fine too, and I accept major credit cards. Anything but Discover.

Oct 18, 2011, 6:20pm Permalink

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