Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 40-year-old Cornelius Caddale of Buffalo pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to one count of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, a Class “E” felony.

On Sunday, June 16, 2019, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Buffalo Police officers were on bicycle patrol at the Juneteenth Festival when they observed the defendant recklessly driving a Kawasaki ATV on a public street. When the defendant came to a stop at a red light, the officers rode up toward him to write a ticket. 

While attempting to evade police, the defendant ran over one of the officers who was still on his bicycle and dragged him underneath the vehicle for approximately 15 feet. When the officer escaped from underneath the ATV, the defendant did not stop. Caddale continued to drive at a high-rate of speed for several blocks before he was apprehended.

The officer suffered road rash and a back injury as a result of the defendant’s actions. He has since been able to return to work.

Caddale faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. He remains released on $15,000 bail.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Justin T. Wallens of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau.