A tractor trailer-pedestrian accident claimed the life of an 83-year-old Amherst Junction man Thursday, Aug. 5.
Anton R. Trzebiatowski, 4255 Townline Road, died of massive internal chest and abdominal trauma, said Portage County Coroner Scott Rifleman. Paramedics found Trzebiatowski had life signs and transported him to St. Michael's Hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital after attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The accident happened at 3:42 p.m., a Portage County Sheriff's Department report said.
Aaron L. Gutt, 18, Tigerton, was driving west on Highway 10, when he saw Trzebiatowski standing near the fog line on the north side of the road, the report said. Gutt believed Trzebiatowski was going to cross the highway as he was looking from east to west. Gutt thought he had made eye contact with Trzebiatowski.
Without warning, Trzebiatowski started to "jog" into the roadway, the report said. Gutt swerved to avoid the collision, but the trailer struck Trzebiatowski and threw him onto the shoulder of the road.
The accident happened near a driveway leading to a home at 9366 Highway 10, the report said.
Trzebiatowski was crossing the road to collect mail for a relative, Rifleman said.
Deputies listed failure to yield the right of way and being inattentive on Trzebiatowski's part as possible causes contributing to the accident, the report said. The weather was clear and the road surface dry at the time of the accident. The accident happened on a straight and level portion of the road.