SHERIDAN – A Forestville resident and former member of the Chautauqua County Legislator was killed yesterday after the van he was driving was struck by a tractor-trailer in the town of Sheridan. Chautauqua County Sheriff Deputies say the accident took place yesterday afternoon just after 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of Route 20 and South Roberts Rd.
Investigators say a semi driving by 41 year-old Mario Estrada-Solis of Ontario, Canada was operating a tractor trailer Eastbound on Route 20. As he approached the intersection with South Roberts Rd., 73 year-old John Dillenburg pulled into the path of the oncoming tractor-trailer, failing to yield the right of way. Estrada-Solis was unable to avoid the collision and the front corners of the vehicles collided. Dillenburg was pronounced dead at the scene by the Coroner.
According to the Jamestown Post-Journal, Dillenburg – a democrat – served on the county legislature from 1980 to 1987. During his tenure he served as Public Works Committee chairman and was also majority leader for two years and assistant minority leader for two years.
He began his political career in 1973 as a village trustee in Forestville; he was elected mayor four years later. In 1990, following his service on the legislature, he ran an unsuccessful campaign for the state assembly’s 149th district against Patricia McGee.
Leave a Reply