Two-car crash claims one life

DARIEN, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Genesee County Sheriff's Office says one person is dead after a head-on collision in the Town of Darien. The accident involving a car and a SUV took place around 6 a.m. on Route 238.

Winds and snow caused roads to be very slippery during the morning commute. Unfortunately, the dangerous driving conditions may have caused that fatal accident.

Authoritites say the driver of the car, 25-year-old Timothy Beszczynski, died at the scene. The driver of the SUV, 59-year-old Mary Dufour, of Dale was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble says it’s possible that the road conditions caused this accident. Dibble said, “Our crash investigators will be looking into that, as far as other contributing factors.”

The roads remain slippery in many parts of the region Wednesday afternoon, especially Chautauqua County.  Stacey Tilburg sent in a Report It! photo, saying her drive on I-90 westbound was very slippery between Dunkirk and Silver Creek.

Poor visibility caused a semi trailer to pull over on Interstate 86 in the Town of Mina. Authorities say around midnight a pick-up truck with an infant inside struck the parked semi. Everyone in the pick-up truck was sent to a local hospital.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the case, and officials say the weather has caused multiple accidents.

Chautauqua County Undersheriff Charles J. Holder said, “We’ve had numerous accidents in all parts of the county. Especially during the transition of getting into work this morning.”

Holder says crews are out salting and plowing the roads to ensure the roads are safe for the evening commute.

New York State Police say there are no major weather-related driving problems in the northtowns, but in the southtowns, more snow is continuing to accumulate on area roadways.

Police warn motorists to drive slow and be cautious, especially in hilly areas.