Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports the sheriff’s Marine and Crash Investigation units responded to a call from the Buffalo Station of the U.S. Coast Guard to assist with a boating crash sometime in the 2 a.m. hour Friday.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that a vessel struck the outer harbor break wall and several individuals were injured.  The sheriff’s Marine Unit and Air-1 responded to find a possible missing person however once on shore all individuals were present and the call for Air-1 was canceled.

Deputy Biegasiewicz evaluated the boat’s operator, Cody Pudlewski – 21 of Angola, and determined Pudlewski was impaired.  Following the evaluation, Pudlewski was charged with BWI and released on tickets.  The incident remains under investigation and Pudlewski could face additional charges.

Five victims were transported to Erie County Medical Center for treatment and evaluation of lacerations and possible broken bones and the sixth victim refused treatment.