Batavia man dies after hitting utility pole in late-night accident in Ridgeway

RIDGEWAY – A Batavia man was killed after he struck a utility pole around midnight on Route 104 in Ridgeway, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said today.

Brad Ohlson, 47, hit the pole and his vehicle caught fire, Bourke said. Deputies responded and the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames at 12623 Ridge Road.

Live power lines also fell across the roadway and around the vehicle, preventing emergency personnel from immediately reaching it, Bourke said.

National Grid crews arrived and disconnected power, allowing Ridgeway firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

Ohlson was located inside the vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.

The preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling westbound on Ridge Road at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway, striking several fixed objects before overturning and catching fire, Bourke said.

Multiple properties sustained damage, including utility poles, a mailbox, fencing and a tree.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Ridgeway Fire Company, National Grid, Batavia Police Department, and the Orleans County Coroner’s Office. This incident remains under investigation.