Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports while patrolling southbound on Transit Road Sunday just after midnight, Deputies Nati and Francis observed two northbound vehicles, near Clarence Center Road, traveling at a high rate of speed.

The Deputies turned northbound to pursue the vehicles when they observed one of the vehicles lose control, swerve from the passing lane across the outside lane and jump over the curb.  The vehicle continued across a lawn and down another curb before coming to rest in a parking lot.  The second vehicle came to a skidding stop and backed up into the same parking lot as the first vehicle.  The Deputies activated the emergency lights and pulled up to the vehicles.

The Deputies interviewed the two drivers and passengers and determined the operators were racing; at one point the radar unit calculated the vehicles’ speeds exceeding 80 miles per hour.

Michael Santora, 22 of Lockport, was arrested and charged with reckless driving, racing, acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17, reckless endangerment, and numerous vehicle and traffic violations.

The operator of the other vehicle, Isabel Gutierrez, 19 of Lockport, was charged with reckless driving, racing, reckless endangerment and numerous vehicle and traffic violations. 

Gutierrez and the passengers from both vehicles were released into the custody of a relative and Santora was being transported to the holding center when the Deputies diverted to Erie County Medical Center for medical evaluation and treatment for Santora.

Santora was released from the hospital and was issued appearance tickets for a later court date in Clarence Town Court.