In the early morning hours of Saturday May 31st, an alleged drunk driver crashed into a Wheatfield home causing significant structural damage. According to the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred on Graydon Drive when a full-size pickup truck traveling northbound failed to yield at a stop sign and collided with the residence.
Deputies reported that the pickup truck was traveling at a high rate of speed when it crashed into the house. The impact was so severe that a building inspector later deemed the home uninhabitable. Fortunately, the homeowner, who was inside the residence at the time, escaped unharmed.
Emergency responders had to extricate the two occupants of the pickup truck who sustained minor injuries. They were promptly treated at the scene. The driver, identified as 21-year-old John Osetkowski from North Tonawanda, was suspected of driving under the influence.
Following the crash, deputies conducted field sobriety tests on Osetkowski, which led to his subsequent arrest. He has been charged with driving while intoxicated - first offense, reckless driving, second-degree reckless endangerment, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and numerous vehicle and traffic law citations.
Osetkowski was later transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. The Niagara County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the incident and will work with the appropriate authorities to ensure justice is served.
The homeowner will now be left to deal with the aftermath of the crash as the damaged structure will require extensive repairs before it can be deemed safe for habitation once again.