Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 31-year-old Andre Goldsmith of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a Class “C” felony.

On December 23, 2018, at approximately 10:15 p.m., Buffalo Police officers initiated a traffic stop on East Ferry Street and Wohlers Avenue for a vehicle with dark tinted windows and no license plate lights. When the officers approached the stopped vehicle, the defendant drove away at a high-rate of speed. As officers followed on East Ferry Street, they observed other vehicles on the road maneuvering to avoid the defendant’s vehicle.

A Buffalo Police Housing Unit patrol vehicle was parked on East Ferry Street near Kehr Street when the officers heard the call for the speeding driver. The officer turned on the overhead lights and attempted to make a three-point turn, when his patrol vehicle was rear-ended by the defendant’s vehicle.

The crash spun the patrol vehicle and forced it down the street. The defendant’s vehicle to hit a fire hydrant then a light pole before it ultimately became wedged between another light pole and the side entryway to True Bethel Baptist Church.

The defendant and his passenger were extricated from the vehicle by emergency personnel and taken to ECMC. The passenger suffered fractures to both of his ankles, which required surgery. The defendant did not suffer any serious injuries.

Both police officers were also taken to ECMC. One officer suffered injuries to his neck and shoulder, which required him to be off of work for several months. The other officer suffered injuries to his neck and back, which have prevented him from returning to work.

Goldsmith faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit as well as Officers Michael Scheu, Robert States, Klyde Bynum, Davon Ottey for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Paul J. Glascott and Assistant District Attorney Christopher M. McCarthy of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau.