SPARTA – A Dansville man lost his life after a head-on collision on Rte 256 in Sparta today.
Theodore Markel, 41,was pronounced dead at the scene when his vehicle was struck head on by John Linehan, 22, who was attempting to pass a a dump truck. Markel was traveling with his two passengers, Matthew Markel and Joe Greene, both also from Dansville who also sustained injuries.
According to a press release from Sheriff Thomas Dougherty the investigation concluded that John Linehan, 22, of Livonia, was traveling Southbound in a 2010 Subaru Impreza when he attempted to pass a dump truck hauling a backhoe that was also southbound on Route 256. While doing so, Linehan hit a northbound vehicle head-on.
A third vehicle, driven by David Lang of Caledonia, sustained minor damage when trying to avoid the accident. Lang was not injured.
Many members of the Sheriff Thomas Dougherty’s Office were on scene for investigation along with Fire and EMS units. The Dansville Police Department and a member from the New York State Police also assisted.