accident

A motor-vehicle accident with possible serious injuries is reported at 4167 Batavia Elba Town Line Road, west of Route 98. Elba Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics and Town of Batavia fire. Mercy Flight is on standby. Two ambulances are needed. "Car into tree, head injury," says responder on scene.

UPDATE 2:11 p.m.: It's determined to be in the Town of Batavia's fire district. Extrication will be needed. Traffic police are asked to shut down traffic at Pekin Road. State troopers and deputies are also on scene.

UPDATE 2:14 p.m.: The road will also be closed at Route 98.

UPDATE 2:16 p.m.: Command calls for the helicopter in Buffalo to start flying to the Batavia hangar.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: Two helicopters -- one in Batavia and the other coming from Buffalo -- are both called to the scene.

UPDATE 2:27 p.m.: One patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: Mercy Flight #5 has landed. The second patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: Mercy Flight #7 has landed.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: Mercy Flight #5 is airborne and headed to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 2:51 p.m.: Mercy Flight #7 is airborne and also going to Strong.

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: Howard at the scene was told the passanger vehicle was westbound on Batavia Elba Town Line Road when it hit a snow drift and the driver lost control of the car and it struck a tree. Authorities urge drivers to be aware that snow drifts are causing dangerous driving conditions on roads throughout the county and they should use extreme caution when driving.

UPDATE 3:06 p.m.: The injuries sustained by both patients are not considered to be life-threatening.

UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: Town of Batavia command is putting the assignment back in service and Elba Fire Police are opening the road.

UPDATE 4:46 p.m.: The driver of the vehicle was a 16-year-old female from Batavia (State Police are not releasing her name). The passenger was Ronald Filbert, 43, of Lockport. Both were taken to strong with non-life-threatening injuries. Both were conscious and alert at the time they were transported.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at 1013 Day Road, north of Sprague Road. The vehicle is on its side and the female driver is unable to get out. Alexander Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The driver is on the phone with dispatch and says she has minor injuries, she just can't get out of her car.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: The vehicle is off the roadway in a ditch.

UPDATE 1:32 p.m.: The patient is out of the vehicle.

UPDATE 1:37 p.m.: Medical treatment is not necessary. Mercy is back in service. A tow is called. The guard rail is mangled.

UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: A water pipe was damaged in the accident and Monroe County Water Authority was notified and will send someone out there when able to do so. Meanwhile, water is leaking in the ditch.

UPDATE 1:56 p.m.: Alexander ambulance is taking the woman to UMMC. Athough she has no complaints of pain, the medic says "she's shaken up."

A one-vehicle rollover, unknown injuries, is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 386.6. Mercy medics and Town of Batavia firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 7:51 p.m.: There are two occupants. Both are sign-offs.

A vehicle is reported to be on its side on the eastbound Thruway near mile marker 399. Unknown injuries. East Pembroke Fire Department, Mercy medics and law enforcement are responding.

UPDATE 7:08 a.m.: Both occupants are out of the vehicle. Medics will evaluate them.

Investigators found no mechanical issues with a car that crashed on Ledge Road, Alabama, in August, and split in two after striking a utility pole.

The accident claimed the the life of a 10-year-old Batavia boy.

The findings are part of a final accident report filed in October and obtained today by The Batavian through a Freedom of Information Law request.

The driver, the boy's father, Shawn P. Wolcott, told investigators the day of the accident that he had taken the car into mechanics several times because of issues with the steering and that prior to the accident he felt the car wobble and heard a pop or a knock.

Deputy Nathan Balduf, certified by the state for post-accident mechanical inspections, thoroughly examined Wolcott's 2004 Chrysler 300 and found no mechanical deficiencies that would have contributed to the accident.

Sgt. Bill Scott, a lead investigator for the Crash Management Team, concluded in his report that all the evidence pointed to the sedan drifting off the road either because Wolcott fell asleep, became unconscious or was otherwise distracted.

The Chrysler's front passenger fender struck a utility pole on Ledge Road. "After initial contact," according to the report, "the vehicle rotated counter-clockwise causing the vehicle to split in half."

Wolcott, who was uninjured in the crash, exited the front half of the vehicle as soon as it came to rest, according to witnesses, and pulled his son, Shawn Jr., from the back passenger seat.

One person reported seeing somebody performing CPR on the child.

Shawn Jr., was flown by Mercy Flight to Mothers and Childrens Hospital in Buffalo. He died five days later.

Wolcott told investigators he was driving to the reservation to buy a carton of cigarettes.

The accident was reported at 8:18 a.m.

Two people -- including his estranged wife and a person on probation with multiple arrests -- reported to authorities that Wolcott had been partying the night before and consumed drugs and alcohol. Wolcott denied the accusation to investigators.

Deputy Lonnie Nati, a certified drug-use recognition expert, was the first deputy on scene and did not detect the odor of alcohol on Wolcott and observed nothing to indicate Wolcott had consumed any drugs.

Investigators were also told that Wolcott was transporting two bags of marijuana in the trunk of his car, but a thorough search of the vehicle turned up no cannabis, though baggies were found that may have contained marijuana (based on odor) at one time.

Wolcott did have a prescription for hydrocodone for carpal tunnel pain in his wrists and he told investigators he had taken a pill the morning of the accident, but he'd been taking the prescription for years without incident.

According to the report, within the three years prior to the accident, Wolcott had taken the car in for service or repairs at multiple local garages, including Monroe Muffler, Midas, Dunn Tire, Castilone Chrysler, Chesley Automotive and Zirbel Automotive.

One person at an automotive shop told an investigator that Wolcott treated the car "like it's his only possession."

Wolcott told an investigator that a mechanic at Castilone, where the car was taken in April, said that the balance was missing from the rack and pinion and that the rack and pinion would need to be replaced.

The repair, he said, would cost $1,200, which he couldn't afford.

Repair receipts obtained by investigators from Castilone mention nothing about any problem with the rack and pinion, though notes indicate that Wolcott did complain about the handling and steering of the car. Wolcott reportedly told a mechanic that the "left front wheel feels like it's going to fall off."

The right front caliper, front rotors and pads were replaced during that visit.

In March, 2010, Wolcott had the front sway bar links replaced at Chesley's.

The struts were replaced by Monroe in late August, 2010. Monroe did alignments on the car in early August, 2010, late August, 2010 and September, 2010. Chesley's did a wheel balance in October of that year.

A two-car accident, with one person complaining of head and neck back pain, is reported at East Main Street and Masse Place in the city. Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 12 p.m.: The patient is being taken to UMMC.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Herkimer and Alleghany roads. A woman has a back injury but was able to exit the vehicle. Darien Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: The location is determined to be one mile south of Herkimer.

UPDATE 12:36 p.m.: The address is 10971 Alleghany Road. Darien command reports the driver is an elderly female who is still seat-belted inside the vehicle, but is not entrapped.

UPDATE 12:49 p.m.: The patient is a sign-off. Responders will be back in service shortly.

A six-wheel truck hauling propane rolled over on Route 19, south of Route 20. The truck is on its side. The driver is said to be confused and has a head injury with a couple of lacerations. The truck is leaking fuel. Pavilion Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics. Le Roy fire is asked to stand by in Pavilion's hall. Winds are 11 mph out of the Northwest. Traffic will be stopped at Pavilion Center Road.

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: Route 19 will be shut down at Route 20.

UPDATE 1:44 p.m.: The driver's employer, Griffith, was contacted and a rep has arrived on scene. The truck had 50 gallons of propane remaining in its tank at the time of the rollover. County emergency management team members will be responding and are staging at the fire training center. "All those civilian people -- I want them far back behind the line. I don't want them hanging around there,"  says the Pavilion chief.

UPDATE 1:56 p.m.: Pavilion command cancels the county emergency unit's response.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: The driver was taken by ground ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital. Firefighters are cleaning debris from the roadway.

A car has hit a building at 852 Bloomingdale Road, Basom, the Arrowhawk Smokeshop, and a person is reportedly unconscious.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:40 a.m.: Alabama back in service.

A tractor-trailer is on its side at the intersection of Route 63 and Route 20, Pavilion.

Injuries, if any, are believed to be minor. Fuel is leaking.

Pavilion fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Following a day of rain, temperatures dropped quickly tonight to below freezing, creating slick road conditions. Use caution if traveling.

UPDATE 2:21 a.m.: A firefighter notes, "There's spots on the road where you can't even walk, so you've got to be careful."

UPDATE 2:23 a.m.: No injuries.

UPDATE 2:24 a.m.: The driver tells another driver that the truck is not leaking full.

UPDATE 2:28 a.m.: The truck is off the road, on the side of the road, Route 63.

UPDATE 2:42 a.m.: The truck is hauling frozen and fresh food for restaurants. If the roads stay as slick as they are, a deputy reports, a wrecker is going to have a hard time moving it. Since it's not blocking, it may just stay where it is for the time being. 

UPDATE 11:10 a.m.: Route 63 between Roanoke Road and Route 20 is being closed while a wrecker rights the truck.

UPDATE 1:08 p.m.: Route 63 has reopened.

A car vs. tree accident, with injuries, is reported in the area of 47 Ellicott St. City fire and Mercy medics are responding or are on scene.

UPDATE 12:19 p.m.: One person was transported to UMMC.

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."

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at Richmond Avenue and Union Street. City fire and Mercy medics are responding. Police are on scene.

UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: One patient was transported to UMMC.

A woman reportedly fell in the parking lot of 226 Ellicott St., Batavia, and then a car rolled over her.

The woman has since stood up.

Batavia fire and Le Roy ambulance are responding (all Mercy EMS ambulances are tied up).

UPDATE 9:49 a.m.: The woman was not struck by the vehicle. City fire reports, "she more or less fell under the car." The responding ambulance (which may be Mercy EMS now) can come in non-emergency.

A car has struck a pole on Clinton Street Road in Bergen.

Injuries are reported.

Bergen fire and ambulance responding.

UPDATE 9:46 a.m.: The car is cold. This accident apparently happened some time ago and nobody is around. Bergen fire back in service.

A car has reportedly struck a guard rail on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 394.

Dispatchers have received multiple calls. One caller reports the car struck the guard rail head-on.

No word on possible injuries.

East Pembroke fire is responding.

UPDATE 9:29 a.m.: Mercy ambulance on scene, confirming minor injuries. The location is mile marker 394.6.

UPDATE 9:50 a.m.: East Pembroke back in service.

A two-car accident is reported at Oak Orchard and North Byron roads.

Traffic is being shut down on Route 98.

Initially, the accident was reported as minor injury, but the Mercy EMS response has been canceled by the chief on scene.

Elba fire is responding.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 7736 Oak Orchard Road, Batavia.

There's one occupant and he's saying he's not injured.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 5:07 p.m.: Responders are told to proceed with caution. Several vehicles reportedly off the road in the area.

UPDATE 5:35 p.m.: Another no-injury rollover accident reported in Batavia, at 3427 Batavia Elba Townline Road.

A two-vehicle accident with possible serious injuries is reported on the eastbound Thruway near mile marker 388.2, by the college. There is "serious entrapment" and at least two people are injured. Town of Batavia, with all available manpower, and two Mercy medic rigs are responding.

UPDATE 6:38 p.m.: Mercy Flight is put "in air." Eastbound traffic is heavy and the lanes are blocked and backing up. A third ambulance is requested. Le Roy rescue is also called in.

UPDATE 6:42 p.m.: Oakfield fire is requested to stand by in Town of Batavia fire station number 1.

UPDATE 6:45 p.m.: The entrapment is characterized as "extreme" by a responder, involving the dashboard. Traffic is heavily backed up. "We'll be trying to land this bird on the Thruway when it's time."

UPDATE 6:47 p.m.: In conjuction with the state Thruway Authority, the eastbound Thruway is shut down and traffic will be required to exit in Batavia. Mercy Flight is circling over the scene, preparing to land.

UPDATE 6:55 p.m.: The Mercy Flight crew is told that their patient is a male, about 30 years old, in need of "significant extrication" efforts. He is said to have moderate injuries, and an altered mental status. His complaints include chest pain and difficulty breathing. A heavy wrecker will be needed to tow a semi truck. The second vehicle involved is possibly a pickup truck.

UPDATE 7:08 p.m.: Patient(s) extricated.

UPDATE 7:18 p.m.: The patient requiring Mercy Flight transport is loaded on the helicopter, which will soon be airborne.

UPDATE 7:21 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 7:24 p.m.: Le Roy is back in service. The three Mercy units are clearing the Thruway scene. The eastbound Thruway will be opened to a single lane. Town of Batavia is picking up and preparing to go back in service. State Police are on scene. Two flatbed tow trucks are en route.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: The Town of Batavia assignment is back in service, along with Oakfield which provided standby assistance, and the eastbound Thruway is reopened.

This photo, submitted by a reader.

One person was killed early this morning when a passenger vehicle and semi-truck hit head on on Route 63, just south of Shepard Road, Town of Batavia.

The location is just yards south of the former Rosie's Diner.

Town of Batavia fire is on scene. The accident is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office Crash Management Team. A coroner is in route.

Route 63 is closed in both directions.

UPDATE: John P. Dow, of Pavilion, was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Donald Coleman. Dow was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Envoy southbound on Route 63. Truck driver Iqbal S. Dhadda, 35, of Brampton, Ontario, Canada, said Dow's vehicle crossed completely into the northbound lane. The SUV and truck hit head-on. According to a Sheriff's Office press release, impairment may have been a factor in the crash. The accident was reported at 1:42 a.m. Dhadda was not seriously injured.

The accident investigation is being conducted by Deputy Joseph Corona, Deputy Frank Bordonaro, Deputy Jason Saile, Deputy John Duyssen and investigator Roger Stone. Assisting at the scene were Batavia PD, State Police, Town of Batavia fire and Bethany fire.