(Herkimer County, NY – Jan. 21, 2015) The New York State Police are investigating an accident that occurred on Jerusalem Hill Road in the Town of Litchfield.
The investigation revealed a 2004 Ford Pickup truck, operated by Jared R. Thayer, age 25, from Little Falls was traveling west on Jerusalem Hill Road responding to a structure fire with his blue lights activated. Thayer, a member of the Cedarville Fire Department stated there was heavy smoke, and low visibility but did observe a motor vehicle parked on the shoulder. Thayer began to drive around it when he noticed a male with a reflective fire coat running towards the shoulder trying to get out of the way of his vehicle. Thayer applied his brakes but could not avoid striking the pedestrian. The pedestrian, Raymond A. Jones Jr., age 61, from Winfield was transported to St. Lukes Hospital in Utica with multiple fractures to his leg and arm.
Jones is a member of the Cedarville Fire Department. Thayer was issued a ticket for Failure to reduce speed under special hazards.