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Truck driver killed in fiery crash on Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

A 49-year-old truck driver from Decatur, Ala. was killed in an early morning crash on the Thruway just east of the Le Roy exit.

State Police investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the one-vehicle accident that took the life of Freddie R. Hatfield.

Hatfield was reportedly seen driving erratically before his truck veered off the roadway and into a line of trees 50 feet from the shoulder, where his truck burst into flames.

"It could have been a medical issue or he may have simply fell asleep,"  State Police Capt.  Michael Nigrelli told WBTA.

No other vehicles were involved.

Le Roy Fire responded to the scene of the 6 a.m. crash to handle the accident and the fire, which was just over the Genesee County line.

Hatfield was hauling building material from Ohio to Gates, driving for Crete Carriers of Lincoln, Neb.

Accident reported on Route 77 at Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

Route 77 at the Thruway is apparently blocked following a traffic accident involving a tractor trailer.

At least one person suffered minor injuries.

Pembroke and Indian Falls Fire are responding as well as Mercy EMS.

There's a report of "quite a bit of liquids leaking."

Truck and car accident reported on Thruway in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A tractor trailer vs. car accident has been reported in the area of mile marker 378.5 on the Thruway.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance are being dispatched.

UPDATE 7:50 p.m.: The fuel tanks on the truck are leaking, and are full. No word on injuries.

State Police have four people in custody on Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

State Police have four people on the ground and in handcuffs on the Thruway just east of the Route 33 overpass.

A witness said he saw multiple law enforcement vehicles heading to the scene at an exceptionally high rate of speed. He also said the State Police helicopter was flying low over the Thruway toward the scene.

When we arrived, there were 11 law enforcement vehicles on scene, with six of them being unmarked. A flatbed truck was hooking up a black sedan that had its trunk open.  

Eastbound traffic in the area slowed quite a bit, though was not significantly backing up.

UPDATE (Billie Owens): I heard the scanner when this call came in. The dispatcher said a black sedan (I forget the make/model) with four asian males was eastbound on the thruway after allegedly driving away from a home-invasion robbery in the Town of Amherst. Either a victim or witness followed the vehicle and alerted law enforcement.

County Clerk pushing to get EZPass sold at DMV

By Howard B. Owens

Soon, Gensee County residents could have another convenient location -- and perhaps one of the more logical places -- to buy EZPass for Thruway tolls -- the local DMV office.

On Wednesday, County Clerk Don Read received approval from the Ways and Means Committee (the proposal must also be approved by the full Legislature) to establish a funding mechanism to buy EZPass stickers to resell at the DMV and County Clerk's office.

"We’d like to be the first one in the county where somebody could come in, know they’re traveling this weekend and pick up an EZPass and they can use it immediately," Read said.

The idea started at a meeting of the state's county clerks in Albany, Read said, when the Thruway Authority met with the clerks and offered to allow them to start selling the automatic toll passes.

Getting started takes some effort, according to Read, from getting funding approval -- the passes must be paid for in advance -- to filling out a tightly spaced eight-page application.

If the program doesn't work, though, Read said, the County won't be out any money. Any unsold EZpasses can be returned to the Thruway Authority for a full refund.

Semi-truck has fuel tank punctured while on Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

A tractor-trailer has apparently had a fuel tank punctured while on the Thruway.

A tie between two tanks ruptured and is gone, according to a chief on scene, and fuel is spilling from both tanks, which have a 120 gallon capacity (they were about half full, the driver said).

Fuel has spilled and "several cars have been contaminated," according to emergency dispatch.

The accident occurred in the area of mile marker 388 in the westbound lane.

Town of Batavia Fire has been dispatched.

UPDATE 5:55 p.m. (Billie): About 20 gallons has leaked out, but the leak is thought to be stopped at this point, according to a fireman.

UPDATE 6:32 p.m.: Crews were about to leave the scene when the tank started leaking again.

Accident at Exit 48, Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

An accident has been reported on the eastbound off-ramp, Exit 48, of the Thruway. There are apparently injuries.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire are responding.

UPDATE 5:28 p.m.: Pembroke fire chief reports one victim with a shoulder injury. The patient is trapped in the car, but extrication is not possible until traffic is under control.

Car hits deer on Thruway, head injury reported

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly hit a deer on the Thruway at mile marker 379.4.

One person reportedly suffered a head injury and another person is complaining of back pain.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance have been dispatched.

Car fire reported on Thruway in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

Multiple callers are reporting a car fire in the westbound lane of the Thruway at mile marker 400.

Pembroke and Indian Falls Fire is being dispatched.

Batavia thruway exit to undergo repairs

By Howard B. Owens

One lane of the Batavia Toll Plaza will be closed for pavement repairs until mid-May, according to a news release from the Thruway Authority.

Travelers should plan for delays of up to five minutes.

Lane #3 will be closed.

There may be other delays in the coming weeks as other lanes are periodically closed for concrete removal between toll lanes.

Vehicle fire reported on the Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

A car is reportedly on fire in the eastbound lane of the Thruway around mile marker 388.

Town of Batavia fire is being dispatched.

The dispatch center has received multiple calls.

UPDATE 3:39 p.m.: A firefighter responding said the smoke can be seen from Bank Street. "It must be going pretty good," he said.

UPDATE 4:12 p.m.: Fire crews are picking up and the Thruway is being reopened.

UPDATE 4:19 p.m.: Town of Batavia Fire back in service.

Police Beat: A pair of alleged DWIs

By Howard B. Owens

David J. Schultz, 27, of 3124 W. Main St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Schultz was stopped at 2:32 a.m. on Tuesday by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

John A. Akok, 30, of Hartford, Conn., is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Akok was stopped by State Police on the Thruway in Stafford at 7:42 a.m., Monday.

Isreal A. Amador, 22, of Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt. Amador was picked up at 11:08 a.m., Monday, by State Police in Le Roy at the Thruway exist for allegedly violating an order of protect. No further details available.

Car engine fire on Thruway

By C D

 An engine fire was reported on the Thruway at mile marker 395 in the eastbound lane. East Pembroke has been asked to assist.

 

UPDATE: 7:49am - Fire has been extinguished.

UPDATE: 7:59am - East Pembroke is to wait at the gate, but not to enter the Thruway.

UPDATE: 8:06am - Tow truck has been called and should be arriving soon (I'm assuming East Pembroke was asked to stand down already and I missed it).

Possible injury accident on Thruway in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A two-car accident, believed with injuries, has been reported on the Thruway in the area of westbound mile marker 382.

One person has been reportedly dragged from a vehicle and is lying on the ground.

One car is in a ditch.

Mercy Flight is being put on standby.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 11:54 a.m.: An assistant chief reports one injury, with the patient complaining of neck and back pain.

UPDATE 11:56 a.m.: Mercy Flight cancelled.

Engine smoking on Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

A car engine is reportedly smoking on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 389.2 in the eastbound lane.

Town of Batavia Fire has been dispatched.

Car rolls down embankment on Thruway in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

A vehicle has gone down an embankment off the Thruway near mile marker 400.5.

It's unknown if there are injuries, but the caller reports nobody moving in the car.

Pembroke and Indian Falls Fire as well as Mercy EMS are being dispatched.

If needed, Mercy Flight is grounded due to weather.

UPDATE 11:25 p.m.: No injuries. This was not a roll over. Mercy EMS canceled. The driver just needs a winch out.

Apparently no injuries in rollover accident on Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

Another rollover accident has been reported in the Pembroke section of the New York State Thruway.

The caller does not believe the driver was injured.

The accident was reported in the area of mile marker 394.5, eastbound lane.

East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS have been dispatched.

UPDATE 11:36 p.m.: A first responder reported finding the car on its roof, but Mercy EMS has been cancelled. The driver said he doesn't require medical treatment.

Grand Jury Report: Indictment in Days Inn drug case

By Howard B. Owens

The Grand Jury has issued a two-count indictment against Lekisha M. Avant. Avant is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd and criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th. The indictment alleges that on Feb. 8, 2005, Avant, while at the Days Inn, 200 Oak St., Batavia, did knowingly and unlawfully possess a narcotic drug, cocaine, with the intent to sell it. The indictment further alleges that on Dec. 29, 2009, Avant was again at the Days Inn and knowingly and unlawfully in possession one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug (cocaine) having an aggregate weight of one-eighth an ounce or more. (For initial arrest report, click here.)

The Grand Jury also issued a two-count indictment against Charles Brown. Brown is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 1st and aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd. The indictment accuses Brown of driving on Aug. 20, 2009, on the Thruway through Le Roy when he knew, or had reason to know that his license was suspended. Brown allegedly was operating with 10 or more suspensions imposed on at least 10 separate dates. The alleged suspensions date back to Feb. 6, 2003.

Car rollover accident reported on Thruway in Pembroke area

By Howard B. Owens

There are unknown injuries following a one vehicle rollover accident on the Thruway at mile marker 401.

The vehicle turned over at least twice, according to multiple callers.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire being dispatched as well as an ALS unit from Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 2:14 p.m.: All victims out of the car. No or very minor injuries. No ambulance transport anticipated.

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