Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports Deputies Richard and Thurston responded to a report of a one vehicle accident on Strickler Road in the Town of Clarence Saturday afternoon.

Deputy Richard was first to arrive at the location where no vehicle was observed, but the Deputy did see indications that a vehicle left the roadway.  The Deputy began to search for the vehicle when he came upon a one matching the description involved in the incident.

Deputy Richard activated the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop and conduct an investigation and welfare check of the driver.  However, the operator did not stop and continued driving for approximately a quarter of a mile before pulling over for the Sheriff’s vehicle.

Deputy Thurston arrived at the traffic stop and both Deputies approached the vehicle.  Extensive damage to the front of the vehicle and the windshield was observed and the Deputies began investigating the driver.

During the Deputies’ investigation, a quantity of marijuana was discovered in the vehicle and Steven Smith, the driver, 28 of Clarence, was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and leaving the scene of an accident.  Also charged was a passenger, a minor, for possession of marijuana while a second passenger, another minor, was released to their parents. 

The two defendants were released on appearance tickets with a pending Town of Clarence court date.