GCSO: Fatal Stafford Accident
Written by WBTA STAFF on March 16, 2018
News Release: Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
At about 6:24 a.m. on today’s date the Genesee County Sheriffs Office responded to a report of a head-on motor vehicle accident with serious physical injury in the area of State Route 5 and Clipnock Road in the Town of Stafford. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Chevrolet pickup truck being operated by Thomas J. Manzella, age 24, of Batavia, New York was traveling westbound on State Route 5 when he lost control of the vehicle on the snow covered road. The 2007 Chevrolet pickup truck spun counter clockwise sliding sideways as it crossed into the eastbound lane and into the path of a 2006 Mack roll off container truck being operated by Curtiss L. Mallory, age 32, of Buffalo, New York. Following the impact, both vehicles traveled off of the south shoulder of State Route 5 where they came to rest.
Mr. Mallory immediately called 911 prompting the response of Sheriff’s Office patrols along with ambulances from Mercy Emergency Medical Services and responders from the Stafford Fire Department. Mr. Manzella was extricated from the vehicle and transported via ambulance to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, New York where he succumbed to his injuries sustained during the crash. Weather conditions including blowing snow and poor road conditions are believed to have been contributing factors in the crash. A minor fuel spill from the Mack container truck was addressed at the scene by the New York State DEC. Route 5 in the area of the accident remained closed for several hours while the accident was being investigated.
The accident investigation is being conducted by Deputy L. Nati, Deputy E. Andre, Deputy H. Wilson, Deputy C. Erion, Investigator J. Diehl, Investigator C. Parker and the Genesee County Sheriffs Office Crash Management Unit. Assisting at the scene were Mercy EMS, the Stafford Fire Department, New York State DEC and the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management.
