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.
The occupants of that pickup
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).
After seeing more photos, the
After seeing more photos, the semi doesn't seem to have a rear under-ride bar. Aren't they required by DOT to have them?
sounds like he may have been
sounds like he may have been in a hurry! Probably will take his time next time!
He is very lucky to get out
He is very lucky to get out of that situation without serious injury. Testimonial to the safe design on the front end of that truck.
Yes Elizabeth,they are
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.
Elizabeth, Yes they are
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.
Just out of curiosity I blew
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.