Truck Crash Victim in Critical But Stable Condition

The driver of a box truck that crashed into a utility pole off of Route 23 South Wednesday night was listed in critical but stable condition at St. Joseph's Trauma Center Thursday, according to Butler Police Capt. Ciro Chimento.

William Bateson, 30, of Butler, was flown to the hospital by a medevac helicopter Wednesday after emergency officials responded just after 5 p.m. He was unconscious when he was pulled from his vehicle.

The helicopter took off from the Richard Butler School. Police, fire and Tri-Boro First Aid Squad volunteers responded to the scene of the crash to find the front of the truck smashed into the pole at 1395 Route 23 South, near the CKO Kickboxing Gym. Three lanes of traffic were closed while police investigated the accident.

According to Chimento, police determined that Bateson was operating the 2011 Western Isuzu truck when he maneuvered off of Route 23 South and into the pole. The reason he veered off the roadway, however, is still undetermined. Bateson was charged with careless driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.

Bateson was entrapped in the vehicle and extricated by Butler Volunteer Fire Department members, Chimento said. Chimento also said Bateson sustained serious injuries to his head and lower extremeties in the crash.

The three lanes of Route 23 remained closed for about three hours while Bateson was prepared for transport on the scene and emergency crews stabilized the utility pole. Police are continuing to investigation the crash.

In addition to the Butler Police Department, Butler Volunteer Fire Department and Tri-Boro First Aid Squad, the Butler Electric Department and paramedics from the Chilton Memorial Hospital Paramedics Unit responded to the scene.

Patch will have updates on this story.