WNY Teen Indicted for Injuring Buffalo Police Officer, Fleeing

A teen from Rochester has been indicted for injuring a Buffalo Police officer and fleeing from police.  The 16-year-old male is facing two charges,

one count of Assault on a Peace Officer, Police Officer, Firefighter or Emergency Medical Services Professional (Class “C” violent felony) and one count of Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony).

According to the Erie County District Attorney, John Flynn, the teen was arraigned on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case.

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The indictment alleges that the teen was involved in the incident on Thursday, June 3, 2021, just before 1 pm, near Crossman Avenue and Heminway Street.  A police officer with the Buffalo Police Department responded to a call about 4 people with a gun in a vehicle.  One of the suspects began to flee in the vehicle down Gennessee Street, headed towards Cheektowaga. The officer pursued the vehicle and suspect.  The vehicle the suspect was fleeing in crashed into two other cars and a utility pole, according to the D.A.'s Office. 

Buffalo Police Officer Injured in Crash Caused by Teen

The pole fell through the windshield of the police car, injuring the officer, Jonathan Negron. He was seriously injured by the crash. According to the D.A.'s Office,

He was driven by another responding Buffalo Police officer to ECMC where he was hospitalized for several weeks with serious head and spinal injuries. He continues to recover from those injuries.

The four suspects fled the vehicle after the crash, but were caught by other Buffalo Police Officers who were on the scene. The teen is being held at the Erie County Youth Service Center and is expected to return to court on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 10 am. If he is convicted on the two charges against him, he will be facing 15 years in prison.