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Head-on crash on Route 5 claims life of Pembroke resident

By Howard B. Owens

A Pembroke woman was pronounced dead at the scene of a head-on collision on Route 5 near the Erie County Line in Pembroke late this afternoon.

Mary J. Smith, 61, was westbound in a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier when a 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan crossed the center line and struck her vehicle head-on on the driver's side.

Investigators have yet to determine why the eastbound Toyota veered from its own lane.

The Toyota's driver, Victoria A. Zimmer, 55, of Clarence, was seriously injured and taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC.

Smith is a relative of several members of the Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department, so members of the Akron Volunteer Fire Department handled critical aspects of the accident scene.

No charges have been filed. The accident remains under investigation.

Assisting at the scene were Indian Falls, Corfu and Darien's ambulance along with Mercy EMS.

The accident investigation is being handled by Deputy Chad Minuto, Sgt. Ron Meides, Investigator Roger Stone and Deputy John Duyssen.

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