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Horrific Accident Claims Life Of Southwestern Graduate

Romaniuk was reportedly traveling southbound on Route 60 when he veered into the path of a northbound Coach USA bus.

CHARLOTTE — A 19-year-old Lakewood man was pronounced dead Monday following a horrific head-on collision with a bus in Charlotte.

According to the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, Justin L. Romaniuk was traveling southbound on Route 60, when, shortly before 9 a.m., he reportedly veered into the path of a northbound Coach USA bus.

Police said the head-on collision pinned Romaniuk in his vehicle, forcing rescue personnel to cut him out. He reportedly suffered serious blunt force injuries and died at the scene.

The driver of the bus, 61-year-old Debra Lee Grimes of Lakewood, was also pinned and had to be freed by the “jaws of life.” She was taken to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

The bus reportedly had three passengers. No serious injuries were reported.

Route 60 was closed for about four hours after the accident. Sinclairville Fire, Gerry Rescue, Cassadaga Rescue and Alstar Ambulance assisted at the scene.

The crash is still being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office, the coroner’s office and the New York State Police Truck Enforcement Unit. Police said no charges are expected against Grimes,

Romaniuk was a 2015 graduate of Southwestern Central School and was studying at the University of Buffalo.

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