The Ontario County community is reeling after a devastating morning crash on State Route 5&20 claimed the life of a local man, identified by authorities as 40-year-old Jonathan Stills of Lima.
The tragic sequence of events unfolded Wednesday morning at the intersection of Route 5&20 and Hickox Road. According to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, Stills was operating a westbound box truck when, for reasons still under investigation, he proceeded through a red light.
In a horrifying instant, the truck collided with an SUV that was in the process of turning onto the state route from Hickox Road. The force of the impact sent the box truck careening into a utility pole. The vehicle then overturned, landing on its roof and tragarily trapping Jonathan Stills inside.
Despite the swift and determined efforts of emergency responders who rushed to the scene, Stills could not be saved. He was pronounced dead at the site of the collision.
Miraculously, the driver of the SUV emerged from the wreckage physically unharmed. A child, who was a passenger in the SUV, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for evaluation and treatment of reported shoulder pain. Officials have stated that there is no initial evidence to suggest drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.
The sudden loss has sent shockwaves through the small community of Lima, where Stills is remembered as a valued neighbor and friend. As the Sheriff’s investigation continues—a meticulous process that includes reviewing scene evidence and vehicle data—the community is left to mourn a life ended far too soon. The incident serves as a stark and somber reminder of the critical importance of vigilance and safety at every intersection.