Route 97 crash injures two seriously

By DAVID HULSE

BARRYVILLE, NY — Police say that an upstate motorist failed to see an oncoming dump truck crossing his path as he entered the five-way intersection on the morning of April 22.

Dump truck operator James Sienko, 57, of Greeley, PA, was northbound on Route 97 and he did see the westbound Mercury Sable station wagon as it pulled out of Route 55 in front of him. He braked but was unable to stop the 40,000-pound, triple axle truck before striking the car broadside.

Investigator Peter Scalia said the impact pushed the crumpled car about 50 feet north of the point of impact and Yulan firefighters had to use the “jaws of life” tool to extricate driver Robert C. Tegtmeyer, 80 and his wife Beverly J. Tegtmeyer, 76.

“It sounded like thunder,” said one observer, who was about 100 yards away at the time.

The Tegtmeyers, residents of Sherrill, NY, were transported to the Shohola, PA, fire station, where they were airlifted to Community Medical Center in Scranton, PA. Scalia said Mr. Tegtmeyer was listed in critical condition following surgery on Saturday, while Mrs. Tegtmeyer was reportedly in stable condition.

The driver, especially, Scalia said, was very lucky to have survived the 10:04 a.m. crash and that may have been in part due to the low speed at which Sienko was traveling at the time. No traffic tickets were issued.

The Eldred American Legion and Lumberland Fire Department ambulances assisted police and Yulan firefighters at the scene.