Teen Hospitalized After Car Explodes

A Chenango Forks teen was sent to the hospital after he lost consciousness behind the wheel of his BMW and crashed into a utility pole, causing his vehicle to burst into flames. 17-year-old Mason Dietzen was traveling southbound on Route 12 when he lost consciousness and drifted across the northbound lane. The incident took place just before 2 o’clock Monday afternoon near the Price Chopper Plaza entrance just north of Chenango Bridge Road. The vehicle immediately caught fire after hitting the pole, and Dietzen was able to free himself from the car, but sustained injuries to his face and mouth. From there he was taken to UHS Wilson Medical Center. The accident caused part of Route 12 to be shut down for about 40 minutes and Dietzen was ticketed for moving from lane unsafely. He’s set to answer to that ticket at a later date in the Town of Chenango Court.