WEST SENECA, N.Y. -- A Town of West Seneca employee seriously hurt while working on a town project Tuesday has passed away, his daughter said on Saturday.
West Seneca Town Supervisor, Sheila Meegan, confirmed with Channel 2 that the man injured was Don Schultz, a long-time member of the highway department.
Police say Schultz was working on a Glenmar Drive site when he lost his footing and slipped beneath the wheel of a sewer maintenance truck and was run over. His family believes the truck malfunctioned and changed gears while in park with nobody behind the wheel. Schultz's sister says the sewer truck that ran him over had malfunctioned in the past.
He suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC). On Saturday, Shultz's daughter Chrissy Schultz said he had passed away in the hospital.
Town Supervisor Sheila Meegan would not talk about the accident itself but did send us the following statement:
"We are saddened by the loss of Don Schultz, one of the Town's long time, most dedicated employee's. Our thoughts and prayers immediately turn towards his loving family during this difficult time. Godspeed my friend"
Colleague Matthew Stacey, one of Schultz's colleagues, described Schultz as a friend and said that their highway team is like a family.
Stacey hopes the money from the Go Fund Me page they've collected online will help the family, which includes six children and a couple of grandchildren, to not have to worry about every day expenses for some time.
Schultz was 53 years old.
2 On Your Side is continuing to look into this developing story and will provide updates as they become available.
