A 76-year-old milk hauler from Perry died this morning when his rig went straight through a curve on Route 19 in Bergen and overturned when it hit the muddy shoulder.
The cab of the truck landed on its roof and was crushed in the accident, according to Sgt. Kurt Schmitt, New York State Police, Troop A.
Pronounced dead at the scene was Gerald M. Olin. He was driving for Kuszulyk, a milk delivery company.
The accident occurred just before 9 a.m. in the area of 7218 South Lake Road, between Route 33 and Maple Avenue/Bovee Road.
Schmitt said no cause of the accident is immediately apparent and it remains under investigation.
"We've had our truck inspectors out to look at the truck and nothing obvious (was found)," Schmitt said. "Of course, the truck was upside down, but there was nothing obvious. Once we get the truck upright, they will be back to take a further look."
Bill Ehrmentraut lives very near the accident location and said the crash was loud enough to rattle his house.
"It was a hard crash," Ehrmentraut said. "I knew it wasn't just a car accident. It sounded like thunder, but you could feel the weight."
Ehrmentraut said he took a look at the truck's wheel marks through the mud and where the truck wound up and said it looked like the truck just went straight through the bend in the road with no attempt to turn or slow.
It's not known right now, Schmitt said, if Olin suffered some kind of medical condition that may have contributed to the accident.
Route 19 south of Route 33 remains closed at 1:30 p.m.
Olin was carrying a nearly full load of milk and a second tanker was brought in to off-load the cargo.
A tow service was able to then begin trying to right the truck.
