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UPDATED: Vehicle rolls over into water, passenger trapped, on Route 63 just south of Orleans County

By Billie Owens

A car reportedly rolled over and careened into water, of undetermined depth, just south of the Orleans County line on Route 63. Unknown injuries, but a witness reported one person trapped on the passenger side. Alabama fire and Mercy medics are responding along with mutual aid from Shelby, whose crew will be wearing water rescue gear. Mercy Flight is unavailable due to weather.

UPDATE 11:40 a.m.: About five people at the scene have been attempting to extricate two victims, who told them they had been in the water for two hours. A tow truck will try and pull the vehicle out, which is "completely upside down, only the back wheels sticking out of the water right now." Route 63 at Roberts Road will be shut down to southbound traffic.

UPDATE 11:44 p.m.: The incident is so close to the county line, but it's deemed to be just over the line in Orleans. Mercy medics from Genesee County have arrived along with Alabama fire.

UPDATE 11:50 p.m.: Both victims have been extricated and are inside the ambulance.

UPDATE 11:58 p.m.: At least one of the patients is being taken to the hospital in Medina.

UPDATE 12:06 p.m.: Dispatch is informed that Orleans County is in command of the accident scene and Alabama is assisting.

UPDATE 2:09 p.m. (by Howard): One person is dead as a result of this accident, the Orleans County Sheriff's Office has confirmed. The names of the victims have not yet been released, but the male occupant of the vehicle was pronounced dead at Medina Memorial Hospital. The female occupant is being treated at the hospital.

According to the OCSO, the vehicle was southbound on Route 63 at 11:35 a.m. when the driver apparently lost control. The vehicle crossed the center line and left the roadway on the east side of Route 63 and overturned, coming to rest in flooded swampland.

A Shelby Fire Department pumper pulled the vehicle out of the water and onto the roadway. Both occupants were extricated and transported by ground ambulance to Medina. 

The male occupant was pronounced dead at 12:31 p.m.

Deputy J.W. Halstead, OCSO, responded to the incident. He was assisted by sergeants D.W. Covis and G.T. Gunkler, and Investigator C.L. Black. State Troopers stationed at both Albion and Batavia also assisted at the scene. The incident remains under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

UPDATE 6:01 p.m.: The Orleans County Sheriff's Office has released the identities of the two people involved in the crash in the Town of Shelby. The driver of the 1998 Pontiac sedan is David M. Russo, 43, of Stafford, who died at Medina Memorial Hospital at 12:31 p.m. His female passenger was Lisa A. Stanley, 40, of Le Roy, who was treated at MMH, then transferred to Highland Hospital in Rochester. The press release from Orleans County Undersheriff Steven D. Smith concludes "While the incident remains under investigation, it’s apparent that weather and slippery road conditions were contributing factors."

Diana Wagner

Wow, I'm still in shock. So sorry to hear about my friend and neighbor. He leaves behind two young children, I can't imagine their pain right now. May he rest in peace.

Dec 26, 2013, 7:49pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

I noticed some negative votes and I hope it's not because someone thought I would make fun of a tragedy like this. I would never. I just initially thought it odd that a vehicle would be laying on it's roof in water, alongside a major highway during daylight for 2 hours before anyone stopped. I know that is very rare. People can become very dis-oriented in a rollover.
I am very sad for the loss of human life and I meant no disrespect.

Dec 27, 2013, 8:44am Permalink
Debra Nanni

I didn't read your comment as disrespectful Dave. I questioned that part also. This is a news website, people who are reading it are going to ask questions. There is questioning and then there is distasteful questioning. Yours was simply a question.
Horrible tragedy. The road was in terrible condition due to the flooding and then freezing. The signage was like something a gradeschooler would make, nothing to warn people. That road should have had huge signs to slow people down. What a sad situation.

Dec 27, 2013, 9:08am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

We don't know where the "two hour" bit came from -- it was relayed to a dispatcher and a dispatcher told the chief. It doesn't make sense to me, either, but that was part of the transmission traffic.

Dec 27, 2013, 10:22am Permalink

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