Four police officers are among those hurt in a series of hit and run crashes near Ralph Wilson Stadium after today's Bills game.
In addition to the injured police officers, three Bills fans/pedestrians were hurt. Two suffered serious injuries and were taken to the Erie County Medical Center. Police say all of this was caused by an erratic drunk driver whose actions caused a public panic.
It all started with a black jeep, the driver of which was suspected of dealing drugs at the stadium. As police were investigating, the jeep took off and hit a security car, then tearing out of the stadium lot.
"It drove onto the public walkway there and struck and ran over a sheriff's deputy at that point," said Assistant Chief Ted Gura of the Orchard Park Police Department. Two Orchard Park officers tried to stop the jeep but another collision occurred at Abbott Road and Southwestern, and the jeep continued eastbound on Southwestern Blvd. where fans were walking toward parked cars.
A woman who lives nearby witnessed what happened next. "The jeep was coming and all the sudden its sideways, going sideways and I guess maybe he tried to brake it to miss the two women in the street."
But the jeep plowed into the two pedestrians, seriously hurting both of them. One had to be taken via Mercy Flight to ECMC. Another pedestrian actually jumped over a bridge into a ravine to avoid being hit. And still, the car sped on along Southwestern eventually stopping when it hit a telephone pole. "The driver then attempted to flee the scene, fought with officers and was apprehended," said Gura.
Police arrested 19-year-old Brandon McLean of Williamsville and charged him with DWI. Its likely more charges will be added on because the injury count is high: 4 officers and 3 pedestrians, all victims of what some called erratic and reckless driving.
"It was an awful mess for a couple of hours," said one eyewitness.
"My officers are shaken up. They're grateful no one else was hit," said Gura.
In addition to McLean's arrest, Orchard Park police say they had 32 other arrests following the game, mostly drunk and disorderly fans.
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