Wakeman Man Killed In Fiery Route 20 Crash

By: Joe Medici

"PITTSFIELD TWP. - A Wakeman man was killed early Wednesday on U.S. Route 20 when his Ford Focus crashed head on into a tractor-trailer, but a man and his 13-year-old daughter in the semi escaped moments before it burst into flames.

Jeffrey New, 42, was eastbound on U.S. 20 west of Quarry Road when his car crossed the center line and ran into the front of Peter Anaya's Freightliner tractor-trailer, according to the State Highway Patrol.

Both vehicles burst into flames almost instantly but Anaya, 41, and his daughter Adrian jumped from the wreckage.

"It sounds like it was pretty quick from impact to them getting out of the vehicle before the fire started," Elyria Highway Patrol Lt. Glenn Peterson said. - (Anaya) was able to grab his daughter out of the back of the truck and get out before the vehicle was engulfed in flames.

County Coroner Paul Matus said New was dead before the fire, having suffered massive injuries.

Crews arrived quickly after the accident, Peterson said, but could not retrieve New from his vehicle due to the size and intensity of the fire.

"The impact was severe. It's a two-lane highway so both cars were doing at least 50 mph, which makes it at least a 100 mph crash," Peterson said. - We've had problems with accidents at the nearby intersection at Quarry Road, but nothing like this.

Police do not know if alcohol was involved, Peterson said.

Neither New's family nor Anaya could be reached Wednesday for comment on the accident.

"Our goal is to keep people driving safely on the roadways so that these types of accidents don't happen," Peterson said. "It's frustrating. Any fatal accident is frustrating for us."