accident

Two large trucks have collided at Route 262 and Norton Road in Elba. Callers to dispatch indicate the drivers may be out of the vehicles and that injuries may be minor. But there are conflicting reports. Elba fire and Mercy medics are responding. Mercy Flight in Batavia is on ground standby. A semi and a dump truck are thought to be involved. There is a significant amount of debris in the roadway as well as some spilt fuel or other hazardous materials.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: A responder on scene reports the people involved are OK but may have minor injuries. Medics are told to continue. Mercy Flight's standby is cancelled. The spilt fuel is believed to be from the "saddle tanks" on the truck(s) and not from any cargo. The county HAZMAT team is on standby for now.

UPDATE 2:16 p.m.: A fill-in out of Barre's fire hall is requested for Elba. It is confirmed that the collision is a semi-truck vs. dump truck.

UPDATE 2:19 p.m.: One lane of traffic on Route 262 (Ford Road) is completely blocked. Believe it's the eastbound lane. State Troopers request HAZMAT to the scene.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Additional fire police out of Byron are called.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: The Department of Environmental Protection is being contacted about the spill of 50-plus gallons of diesel fuel, which is said to be soaking into the ground. Meanwhile, Elba Town Highway Department is asked to bring in a truckload of sand to absorb the spill as best as possible for now. They are going to shut off traffic at Old Ford Road by Andy's Pizza.

UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: Mercy medics are back in service and report the two drivers involved are sign-offs.

UPDATE 2:31 p.m.: Command reports there's a lot of Speedy Dry on the ground and confirms Elba Town Highway is on its way with sand. The fuel is "held up in a ditch, but some is going into the ground, a cow pasture with an electric fence."

UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Oakfield fire police are called and the Elba School District has been informed of traffic issues.

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: Traffic police are shutting down Route 262 at Transit Road.

UPDATE 3:02 p.m.: Command calls for two ambulances, non-emergency. One for a truck driver involved in the incident, who previously declined medical aid, and another for a firefighter suffering from possible heat exhaustion.

UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: Authorities updated the spill information to say that one truck contained 40-plus gallons of diesel fuel, and the actual amount that leaked out is not yet known. They need to untangle the vehicles to make a better determination. The other vehicle's fuel tank did not rupture. The auxiliary is called to bring in refreshments this hot and windy afternoon.

UPDATE 4:02 p.m.: After pulling apart the mangled wreckage, they determined a little while ago that indeed one truck spilt roughly 40 gallons of diesel fuel and the other's fuel tank is still intact. Fire police have shut down Edgerton and Norton roads. One of the truck drivers was taken to UMMC for evaluation.

UPDATE 4:24 p.m.: A responder reports that one lane of Route 262 will be reopened but Norton will remain closed for awhile.

UPDATE 4:58 p.m.: Both lanes of Route 262 will be open until a tow truck for one of the vehicles arrrives.

UPDATE 5:16 p.m.: The Elba assignment is back in service. All roads are being reopened.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.: According to the initial investigation, said Trooper Holly Hanssel, the driver of the white farm truck allegedly failed to yield at the intersection. The farm truck was southbound. It T-boned the Town of Bergen truck. Both drivers were shaken up, but neither was injured.

"The driver of white truck definately whould have been injured if he didn't have his seat belt on," Hanssel said. "They were both seat-belted in and I think that has a lot do with why there are no injuries."

About 25 to 30 gallons of fuel were spilled. About 10 minutes ago, Hanssell cleared the scene and informed dispatch that the spill issue appears to be taken care of but that DEC will double check in the morning.

A motor-vehicle accident occurred in front of Denny's restaurant on West Main Street in the city. There's one minir injury due to air bag deployment. Law enforcement is on scene for traffic control. Mercy medics and city fire are also there. Two flat-bed tow trucks are needed.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by Doug Yeomans.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by Joe Bradt.

A motor vehicle accident believed to be with injury is reported at Route 77 and Ledge Road.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE (by Billie) 10:45 a.m.: There is entrapment. The accident is blocking traffic. One vehicle has three adults and a child inside. A second ambulance is called. Three vehicles are involved, one of which is towing a small trailer.

UPDATE 10:49 p.m.: Indian Falls is called as mutual aid to provide traffic control, and aid with extrication if needed. Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 10:52 a.m.: There is a total of four patients.

UPDATE 10:54 a.m.: Alabama commands reports there is no entrapment.

UPDATE 10:56 a.m.: A third ambulance is called in.

UPDATE 11:05 a.m.: The child's injuries are minor. One ambulance is going to Erie County Medical Center. Three patients, including a 75-year-old female, are being taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 11:42 a.m.: The two other patients bound for UMMC are a 2-year-old boy and a 42-year-old male. Indian Falls is back in service. Most, if not, all Alabama units have cleared the scene.

UPDATE 11:57 a.m.: The Alabama assignment is back in service.

A 52-year-old Oakfield resident who was involved in a motorcycle accident on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation on Sunday night was treated and released after being flown by Mercy Flight to ECMC.

Louis M. Biro, of East Shelby Road, was driving a 2011 Honda east on Bloomingdale Road when he allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign at Reuban Road and continued east into the Arrowhawk Smoke Shop parking lot. The Honda continued through the parking lot and struck a dirt embankment and a pile of cut trees.

The accident was reported at 10:14 p.m.

Charges are pending, according to the accident report.

The accident was investigated by Deputy James Diehl.

(Initial Report)

A motorcycle accident with injuries is reported at 852 Bloomingdale Road. A first responder reports the rider is "up into the brush" of the back parking lot of the Arrowhawk Smoke Shop. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are called to the scene.

UPDATE 10:23 p.m.: Mercy Flight #5 out of Batavia is called to the scene. A clerk at the store reports seeing the rider in the wooded area behind the store. A responder located the rider underneath some brush.

UPDATE 11:08 p.m.: Mercy Flight is in the air.

A vehicle has struck a guard rail and injuries are reported at 6104 Route 63, north of Transit Road. The vehicle is blocking the roadway. Bethany Fire Department and Ambulance Service are responding. The road is being shut down. After this accident, a tractor-trailer reportedly hit something, like a pole, in the area. Town of Batavia Fire Police are asked to close southbound Route 63 at East Road. Pavilion Fire Police are asked to shut down northbound Route 63 traffic at Texaco Town.

UPDATE 9:02 p.m.: Responders are back in service. Roads reopened. No word on status of victims(s).

Shawn P. Wolcott, age 10, succumbed to injuries sustained in an accident on Ledge Road, Alabama, on Saturday.

The Sheriff's Office received notification of the boy's death late yesterday.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation, said Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble.

Wolcott was a resident of Batavia, living on Maple Street with his father, who was also injured in the accident.

The father, Shawn P. Wolcott Sr., was treated and released for his injuries at Erie County Medical Center.

Wolcott Sr. told investigators that his car jerked to the right, causing it to go off the roadway striking a utility pole.

The car hit the pole on its side causing the rear half of the car to shear off. The boy was sitting in the rear passenger seat.

Shawn was taken by Mercy Flight to Women & Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

Previously: Batavia boy seriously injured in accident in Alabama

A Batavia boy was seriously injured this morning when the car he was riding in left the roadway on Ledge Road and struck a utility pole.

The car snapped in half with the rear passenger area skidding to the south shoulder near the pole and the front end of the car spinning about 30 yards ahead and stopping in the south shoulder just short of a corn field.

Shawn P. Wolcott, 10, was taken by Mercy Flight to Womens and Children's Hospital by Mercy Flight.

Shawn's condition reportedly improved after arriving at the hospital.

His father, Shawn P. Wolcott Sr., a resident of Maple Street, Batavia, was also seriously injured and transported by Mercy EMS to ECMC.

Wolcott told investigators that his car jerked for an unknown reason to the right before exiting the roadway.

Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble said at the scene during a preliminary part of the investigation that there are no markings in the roadway prior to the car's impact with the pole to indicate any kind of emergency or evasive action, including braking.

Speed is not considered a factor in the accident.

Because of the serious nature of the injuries, the Crash Management Team was dispatched to the scene to conduct an investigation and accident reconstruction. Typically, Crash Management investigations take weeks if not months to complete.

Alabama fire responded to the scene along with firefighters from Pembroke and Indian Falls.

A car has hit a telephone pole in the area of 1301 Ledge Road, Alabama. Multiple callers to dispatch indicate serious injuries with one person unconscious.

Mercy Flight 5 is being dispatched.

Alabama Fire Department responding along with full response from Indian Falls and Pembroke.

UPDATE 8:25 a.m.: A 10-year-old boy is in critical condition.

UPDATE (By Billie) 8:30 a.m.: A Mercy ambulance is dispatched because the driver is also injured. Ledge Road is shut down at Alleghany.

UPDATE 8:33 a.m.: The helicopter in Buffalo is put on ground standby in case it's also needed.

UPDATE 8:37 a.m.: Mercy Flight has landed. National Grid has a 15-minute ETA. The utility pole is broken in half.

UPDATE 8:43 a.m.: Ledge Road is also closed near the Totem Pole Smoke Shop located at 1031 Ledge Road.

UPDATE 8:48 a.m.: The driver, who is the boy's father, is being transported to Erie County Medical Center via ambulance.

UPDATE 8:51 a.m.: Mercy Flight will transport the child to Womens & Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 8:56 a.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne.

UPDATE 9:18 a.m.: The Crash Management Team is at the accident site investigating. The sedan involved was split competely in two, between the front and back seats.

UPDATE 11:21 a.m.: The Alabama assignment is back in service. A half lane of traffic remains blocked due to the National Grid repair work under way.

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A car vs. motocycle accident is reported on the westbound Thruway by mile marker 386.4. The motorcycle rider and his passenger are injured. Both are conscious and alert. One has a back injury and the other is reportedly bleeding from the mouth. Two Mercy rigs are going to the scene along with Town of Batavia Fire Department. The location is between the CSX railroad crossing and Route 33.

UPDATE 3:11 p.m.: Mercy medics are transporting two patients to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 3:14 p.m.: State Police have released Town of Batavia responders from the scene.

A tractor-trailer rollover accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 388. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding. A Sheriff's deputy is on scene.

UPDATE 1:44 p.m.: Injuries are minor. Mercy medics are on scene. The vehicle is in the median.

UPDATE 2:11 p.m.: There were three patient sign-offs. The Batavia assignment is back in service. The rig was empty. It did leak a small amount of fluids.

A car vs. pedestrian accident is reported at Vine and North streets in the city. The bicyclist is lying in the roadway. Police, fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:16 p.m.: The bicyclist was taken to Erie County Medical Center. All responders have cleared the scene.

Four people were injured in a two-car accident in the Batavia Downs parking lot at 5:07 p.m., Sunday.

The two cars collided where two cross-lanes of traffic converged. Both cars appeared to enter the intersection at the same time, according to an accident report by Sgt. Jonathan Szumigala.

There were no traffic control devices at the intersection.

No citations were issued.

Injured were Sandra L. Johnson, 55, Alessa R. Naylor, 21, Zachary C. Johnson, 22, and Donna M. Azalone, 52.

Sandra Johnson, of Byron, was driving a 2009 Dodge SUV. Azalone was driving a 2003 Chevy sedan. Azalone had no passengers.

All four patients were transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS for evaluation and treatment. None appeared seriously injured.

 

A single car accident with a minor injury and air bag deployment is reported in front of Empire Tractor in the Town of Batavia, located at 5072 E. Main Street Road. A responder says the car is in the parking lot there after reportedly striking a sign then a piece of equipment. Town of Batavia fire is responding.

UPDATE 5:13 p.m.: Dispatchers didn't have to track down a contact person for the business. The store owner was driving by and saw the situation and stopped.

UPDATE 5:28 p.m.: The town assignment is back in service.

A car versus motorcycle accident is reported at 7850 E. Main Road in Le Roy, unknown injuries. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding along with mutual aid from Mercy medics. The location is between Circular Hill and Asbury roads.

UPDATE 2:05 p.m.: Two patients, both are up and walking around. An ambulance from Caledonia is started just in case it's needed.

UPDATE 2:14 p.m.: Byron Fire Police are requested for traffic control at Route 5 and Asbury Road.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: The patients are sign-offs.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: Le Roy command has requested Caledonia's rig back to the scene because the motorcyclist is now complaining of pain.

A car versus motorcycle accident is reported in front of Scooter's restaurant on West Main Street in the Town of Batavia. An officer on scene reports everyone involved is "up and walking around." There is one minor hand injury on the motorcyclist. The officer says there's no need for Town of Batavia Fire Department. Mercy medics are responding non-emergency, to get a sign off.

"He dumped his motorcycle and there's some small laceration to his hand," says the officer on scene.

A car versus motorcycle accident with serious injuries is reported in the area of 7959 North Road, near Conlon Road, in the Town of Le Roy. The motorcycle rider is unconscious in the middle of the roadway. Mercy Flight was heading to the scene and is now cancelled by Le Roy medics. Le Roy Fire Department is responding. Fire Police have shut down Route 19 at North Road. Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 7:07 a.m.: Le Roy medics are leaving the scene; back in service.

UPDATE 7:10 a.m.: Pavilion fire is requested to fill in at Le Roy's fire hall.

UPDATE 7:57 a.m.: This is a fatal accident and the coroner is on scene.

UPDATE 8:54 a.m.: Here's a statement from Sheriff's Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble at the scene:

"Looks like the small blue car and the motorcycle were westbound on North Road. From what we understand, the driver of the small car wanted to turn around and go back the direction they were going. Looks like they slowed, maybe pulled off to the right some; motorcycle coming up behind them; looks like (the motorcyclist) saw (the car) slowing and pulling into the right; (the motorcycle was) slowing...to start to go around the vehicle.

"Small vehicle didn't see the motorcycle coming; did a U-turn and the collision took place somewhere in the center of the lane, maybe even some into the eastbound lane. Motorcycle driver, by the marks in road, looks like they started into their pass and then motorcycle layed down and motorcycle and driver slid into the side of the car -- to the left side of the car. That's about it."

The vehicle is described as possibly a tiny Smart car.

UPDATE 9:08 a.m.: Pavilion's standby is released and they are back in service.

UPDATE 9:22 a.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 9:57 a.m.: The family has been notified, but the name of the victim has not yet been released.

UPDATE Noon (by Howard): The motorcycle driver is identified as Joshua J. Lowery, 26, of Brockport. The Smart car was driven by Jeffrey J. Simek, 55, of New Smyrna, Fla. The preliminary investigation indicates that Simek slowed, moving to his right and then began to initiate a U-turn. Lowery's 1998 Suzuki struck the Smart car. Lowery was pronounced dead at the scene. Simek was not injured.

The accident was reported at 6:40 a.m. Le Roy Fire Department and Le Roy Ambulance Service responded. The investigation is being conduct by Deputy Brad Mazur, Investigator William Ferrando, Sgt. Jim Meier and Deputy Eric Seppala.

One additional comment Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble made at the scene was that when Simek made his turn, if he looked down North Road, he would have been looking east directly into the sun.

A rollover accident has been reported on the Thruway in the westbound lane in the area of mile marker 389.2.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9:57 p.m.: A passerby did stop and they're reporting minor injuries, but the motor won't shut off. The location is about a half mile west of Bank Street Road.

UPDATE 10:04 p.m.: Assignment being held to two engines on scene and Mercy EMS. There two occupants and both are out of the vehicle.

A two-car accident with a minor injury is reported at 6283 Main Road in Stafford. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The location is near Route 237.

UPDATE 12:17 p.m.: Mercy medics are back in service with two sign-offs.