Raymond J. Esner, 63 of Lancaster was operating a 2019
Chevrolet Silverado southbound on State Route 19 in the Town of Middlebury.
Esner reported that while driving, his right side tire had left the paved
portion of the roadway which deterred his vehicle further towards the ditch.
Esner drove the vehicle into a drainage ditch and ultimately struck a field
access driveway/culvert head on. The vehicle was able to make its way over the
driveway and back onto the roadway. Minor damage to the culvert and driveway
occurred. The vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage.
Following the accident, Esner’s front seat passenger, Peter
E. Haas, 73 of Depew, was observed bleeding from the head. Esner was aware that
the Wyoming County Community Hospital was within a few miles and drove directly
to the Emergency Department to seek medical attention for Haas.
Once at the Emergency Department, Esner reported the
accident with the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office via 911.
Haas was later transferred to the Erie County Medical Center
for further medical assistance.
On August 26th, at 12:27pm, the Erie County Medical
Examiner’s Office reported Peter Haas had succumbed to the injuries sustained
in the above motor vehicle accident that occurred on July 24th.
The investigation is continuing.