Tow truck driver who died on Route 219 identified as Great Valley man

[TowNews]

 

CARROLLTON — The tow truck driver who died of a medical emergency Thursday on Route 219 in Carrollton was a Great Valley man who worked for BKG Truck Repair LLC.

David L. Olson, 76, died after suffering an apparent heart attack while towing a FedEx truck and transporting the delivery person to Jamestown, Olson’s wife Nancy told the Olean Times Herald Friday.

David Olson collapsed at the wheel, but the delivery person seated in the passenger seat was able to grab the wheel and prevent the vehicle from crashing, Nancy Olson said. The delivery person, and later first responders, attempted CPR, but were unable to save him, she added.  

 

“He’d do anything for anybody,” she said of her husband, adding he loved to joke around and tell stories.   

An obituary for David Olson was submitted to the Times Herald Friday and appears in today’s edition. BKG Truck Repair, located in Salamanca, also made a Facebook post Friday announcing his passing.

Olson is survived by 10 children, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his wife said.

 

Chief Mike Soper of the Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department had reported to the Times Herald Thursday evening that a tow truck driver suffered a medical emergency on Route 219 and died. However, he declined to identify the driver at the time.

It was the second fatality Carrollton firefighters responded to that evening, as a tractor-trailer driver died around roughly the same time and mere miles away. The tractor-trailer crossed the center line and crashed into a ditch on Route 417 near Windfall Road.

The identity of the tractor-trailer driver, described as a man in his early 50s who resided in the local area, is still not publicly known. Both Soper and New York State Police Investigator John Zeigler declined to identity him on the scene Thursday, and a call to Trooper James O’Callaghan, public information officer for Troop A, was not returned Friday.

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

Obituary:

GREAT VALLEY - David L. Olson, of Beeles Road, passed away unexpectedly Thursday (Aug. 2, 2018) in the town of Carrollton after suffering an apparent heart attack while driving his tow truck.

Born May 23, 1942, in Franklinville, he was the son of the late Fred and June Kenyon Olson. On Nov. 29, 1980, in Little Valley, he married Nancy Foster who survives.

David attended Ten Broeck Academy in Franklinville and worked numerous jobs over the years. Including Star Dell Products, Don Case Auto, and as an over the road semi-truck driver for Branch Motor Express, Foster Trucking, GWF Trucking, Kenny Trucking and BKG Truck Repair, working closely with Orval, George and Kenny Foster.

He enjoyed spending time at auctions, working on antique tractors and 1949 Ford trucks. David also liked playing card games with friends and family and telling stories.

Surviving besides his wife, Nancy of Great Valley, are six sons, David (Pam) Olson Jr. of Wattsburg, Pa., Rodney Mascho of Ocala, Fla., Timothy (Tangie) Collins of Lester, Ala., Stephen (Sandy) Olson and Christian Olson, both of Great Valley, Andrew (Ashley) Olson of McKean, Pa.; four daughters, Penny Lumpkin of Anthony, Fla., Becky Rosier of Tallahassee, Fla., Patricia (Larry) Watkins, of Crandall, Ga. and Diana Olson of Great Valley; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Carol (Lou) Dennis of Needmore, Pa.; and two brothers, Brian (Ann) Olson and Daniel Olson, both of Franklinville.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Linda Webber; two brothers, Kenyon "Kenny" Olson and Carl Olson; a granddaughter, Ashlee Collins; a grandson, Joshua Foster; and a great-grandson, Bradley Milks.

Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Babbitt & Easton Funeral Home, 7 N. Main St. Franklinville. Where his funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday (Aug. 6, 2018) with the Rev. Dan Butcher, pastor of the Little Valley Wesleyan Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Green Cemetery in Great Valley.
 

RESOURCE LINK

[mooresbp]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends