Victim in fatal crash identified
By JOAN JOSEPHSONCASSADAGA - Tuesday's head-on crash on Route 60 between an SUV and a tractor-trailer truck claimed the life of Donald F. Lines, 65, of Jamestown and seriously injured his wife, Georgianna E. Lines, 69, also of Jamestown.
The accident was first reported Monday around 5 p.m. at www.observertoday.com with further details in Tuesday's OBSERVER.
Mr. Lines was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in front of Gay Mark Tire Company.
Mrs. Lines was taken to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo by Starflight Helicopter. A hospital spokeswoman said she did not have a condition report, but indicated Mrs. Lines is a patient in a regular room.
The New York State Police are investigating the accident which they report happened around 4:30 p.m. The investigation and the reconstruction of the accident and the removal of the truck and SUV had Route 60 closed until 10:30 p.m.
Police say the SUV, described as a 2008 GMC Envoy, was headed south on Route 60 when it crossed the center line of the road into the northbound lane where a Kenworth Tractor-trailer truck operated by Roberto Vasquez, 37, of Laredo, Texas was traveling north. In an attempt to avoid hitting the SUV, the truck driver took evasive action by moving to the road's shoulder.
The Lines' SUV hit the truck on the driver's side, drive axle and trailer, the police report said.
Cassadaga Fire Chief Allen Parker said it appeared the tractor-trailer driver tried everything he could to avoid the crash. The truck ended up in the ditch with a broken suspension and flat tires on the trailer, he said.
Because of the crash, police said Lines suffered massive head and upper body injuries.
His wife, a front seat passenger, suffered head injuries, according to the police report.
The truck driver suffered neck and back injuries and was taken to Brooks Hospital for treatment.
The State Police investigation into the fatality is continuing.v
