A box truck struck a horse and buggy on Ernsberger Road in Varick on June 16, leaving two men injured and causing a power pole to collapse.
The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office identified the buggy operator as Enis Hertzler, 38, of Ogden Road in Varick. Deputies say the crash occurred around 9 a.m. as Hertzler traveled westbound. The box truck, driven by Osman Muse, 42, of Buffalo, was heading in the same direction when it collided with the buggy from behind.
After the impact, the box truck veered off the road and hit a NYSEG utility pole, breaking it and causing it to fall onto the vehicle. The fallen pole trapped Muse inside the truck until emergency crews arrived.
Hertzler was treated at the scene by South Seneca Ambulance personnel before being transported to Upstate Medical for further care. Muse was extricated by fire and EMS responders, then airlifted to Upstate Medical Center.
The investigation was led by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office with help from New York State Police and fire departments from Ovid, Romulus, and Varick.
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