Niagara Falls Police responded to the 400 block of 17th Street around 7:30pm on August 6th after reports of a hit and run with significant property damage.
Upon arrival, officer Jordan Collins observed a black 2013 Ford Edge SUV facing southbound with rear-end damage. A motorist old police that the black Mercedes crashed into the back of his vehicle prior to fleeing the scene. The responding officer observed a hood ornament left at the scene along with black plastic.
The radiator of the Mercedes clearly ruptured as there was a large amount of fluid in the roadway. The fluid trail led police to Niagara and 12th Street before it dissipated. Officers then viewed surveillance footage which showed the crash occurring.
The same officer was contacted at police headquarters the following day by the complainant stating that multiple people on the street directed him to a black 2006 Mercedes Benz that was parked nearby. A check of multiple ALPR systems showed the Mercedes driving on August 3rd with no damage and on August 6th with the front hood crumpled up.
The officer relocated to the location of the vehicle and located the Mercedes in the driveway matching the damage and missing the hood ornament. He spoke with someone at the residence who stated that his “cousin Chris” was operating the vehicle and claimed to have no further knowledge of him. The officer then explained to the male that he would have to provide Chris’s identity and/or he would have to report the incident to his NYS parole officer.
When the responding officer reported for work on August 8th, he had a voicemail from a male admitting responsibility for the hit-and-run. The male stated that he was distracted by his oxygen tank causing him to strike the Ford. He was issued multiple traffic tickets returnable at Niagara Falls City Court. No further information is available at this time.
No further information is available at this time - Hit-and-run Investigation Solved by Niagara Falls Cop.