WHEATFIELD, N.Y. (WKBW) — A 16-year-old driver from Lockport is facing multiple charges after allegedly leading Niagara County Sheriff's Office deputies on a high-speed chase through the Town of Wheatfield and the City of North Tonawanda.
The sheriff's office said that around 1 a.m., a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding and equipment violations on Shawnee Road in the Town of Wheatfield. The driver allegedly failed to comply and fled at speeds exceeding 100 MPH and recklessly throughout Wheatfield and North Tonawanda.
According to investigators, deputies monitored the vehicle from a distance due to public safety concerns while coordinating with assisting law enforcement agencies. The vehicle was later relocated and allegedly attempted to evade officers again before the Lewiston Police Department successfully deployed a tire deflation device which disabled the vehicle.
Deputies conducted a felony traffic stop after the vehicle came to a stop on Saunders Settlement Road in the Town of Cambria. The driver, a 16-year-old boy from Lockport, and a passenger, a 17-year-old girl from Lockport, were taken into custody safely and without further incident.
The sheriff's office said the vehicle, a 2005 Chrysler 300, was unregistered and displayed no license plates.
The 16-year-old driver was charged with:
- Second-degree reckless endangerment
- Resisting arrest
- Second-degree obstruction of governmental administration
- Third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle
- Reckless driving
- Numerous vehicle and traffic law violations
The sheriff's office said under New York State's Raise the Age legislation, the 16-year-old driver was issued appearance tickets and released to his parents. The female passenger was released without charges.
