On Monday, May 6, dispatchers at the Niagara County Sheriff's Office received a call about a two-vehicle accident on Lower Mountain Road. One of the cars had collided with a large utility pole near Bond Lake Park. Officers from both the Niagara County and Lewiston police departments arrived at the scene and confirmed that the car had knocked over the utility pole, which was attached to power lines leaning near the road.
An investigation revealed that the driver of the eastbound vehicle, identified as Sarah Becker, had crossed into the westbound lane and collided with an oncoming driver before hitting the utility pole. EMS officials from Tri-Community assessed both drivers and reported no life-threatening injuries. However, Becker displayed signs of drug impairment and was taken into custody by officers at the scene. After evaluation by a Drug Recognition Expert, Becker was charged with driving while impaired by drugs.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle Becker was driving had been stolen on May 5 from a house on Upper Mountain Road in the Town of Cambria. As a result, she was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3rd degree, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 3rd degree, and multiple Vehicle & Traffic violations related to the accident.
Becker is currently being held at the Niagara County Correctional Facility for the stolen car and drug impairment leading to the Lewiston vehicle accident until her arraignment, and she will be given a court date in the Town of Wilson. Meanwhile, the section of Lower Mountain Road near Bond Lake was temporarily closed to repair or replace the utility pole that was damaged in the accident.