Batavia man in stable condition after rollover accident near GCC

A Batavia man was taken by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center today where he is in stable condition following an accident at 1:24 p.m. on R. Stephen Hawley Drive.

Joseph C. Wenzel Jr., 54, of Thorpe Street, Batavia, told investigators that as he was heading east, he swerved to avoid a small animal, possibly a possum, in the roadway.

An investigation by Deputy Jonathan Szumigala indicates that Wenzel's 1990 Chevy Van went off the south shoulder and then Wenzel over corrected causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

The van struck a fire hydrant and overturned, pinning Wenzel inside.

Town of Batavia volunteers responded and cut the windshield out of the van so Mercy medics could gain access to the patient. Firefighters then cut the roof off the van to extricate Wenzel.

Wenzel may have suffered a head injury, but he was also taken by Mercy Flight to a trauma center as a precaution in case of internal injuries.

Szumigala indicated on his report that possible traffic citations are pending.