The New York State Police announced Thursday that the vehicle involved in a hit-and-run incident Tuesday has been located, but said, "No other information will be released at this time."
The NYSP thanked the public and the media for the tips and assistance given in this investigation, which it said is still active.
Anyone with any information can contact the State Police at 585-344-6200.
On June 13 at 8:06 p.m., Troopers responded to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on East River Road between Whitehaven Road and Riverwoods Drive.
The investigation revealed that a newer black four-door Dodge pickup truck struck Dana Papaj, 53, of Grand Island as she walked her dog on the west shoulder of the roadway. The truck then left the scene.
Papaj, a teacher's aide at Huth Road Elementary School, was transported to Erie County Medical Center and is in critical condition.
NYSP Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded and worked at the location for hours.
Traffic stop leads to search discovering drugs, stolen handgun
Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports the Narcotics Unit was called to expand a drug investigation that stemmed from a traffic stop on Grand Island Thursday night.
Around 7:23 p.m. on June 9, a deputy initiated a traffic stop on the South State Parkway near the I-190 after observing a vehicle and traffic violation. The deputy identified the four occupants and discovered the vehicle's driver, Shane Corter, was wanted by the Erie County Sheriff's Office from a previous narcotics investigation. Corter and the three passengers exited the vehicle, and the deputy observed four hypodermic needles full with heroin extending from Walter Weber's pants pocket. The subsequent search of the vehicle discovered an additional needle loaded with heroin and marijuana.
Corter, 31, of Grand Island, Weber, 44, of Cheektowaga, and Jessica Polakiewicz, 34, of Grand Island, were arrested and charged. Information was gathered during the stop, and the sheriff's Narcotics Unit applied for and received a search warrant from Grand Island Justice Mark Frentzel for Corter and Polakiewicz's dwelling.
The Narcotics Unit executed the search warrant at a Grand Island Boulevard residence. During the search, the Narcotics Unit discovered three ounces of cocaine, two pounds of marijuana, a digital scale with cocaine residue, and a stolen .357 handgun; the gun was reported stolen to the New York State Police in Fredonia.
The Narcotics Unit charged Corter with felony counts of criminal possession of a narcotic with intent to sell, criminal possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a loaded firearm, criminal possession of a stolen weapon, as well as a misdemeanor count of criminal use of drug paraphernalia.
Polakiewicz is charged with felony counts of criminal possession of a narcotic with intent to sell, criminal possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a loaded firearm, criminal possession of a stolen weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance as well as a misdemeanor count of criminal use of drug paraphernalia.
Weber and Polakiewicz were transported to the Erie County Holding Center, and after the defendants had exited the vehicle, the deputy observed 20 amphetamine pills a plastic bag corner and a plastic container filled with additional cocaine.
They were both additionally charged with felony counts of criminal possession of cocaine, criminal possession of a stimulant, and concealing evidence.
All three defendants are housed at the holding center pending their arraignment.
The fourth vehicle occupant was not charged.
Driver arrested following traffic stops
Howard reports deputies made a felony arrest following a traffic stop.
On Thursday, at 2:28 a.m. in the Town of Grand Island, deputies responded to a call about a vehicle striking a traffic control sign in the roundabout on Staley Road. The deputies located the vehicle described by a caller in a nearby restaurant parking lot and interviewed the driver, identified as Carlos Taylor, 20, of Grand Island. The deputies' investigation discovered the operator's license was revoked for failing to attend or participate in a New York state impaired driver program. The deputies also observed signs of intoxication, and when asked to submit to a breath test at the Grand Island Substation, Taylor refused.
The deputies charged Taylor with a felony count of aggravated unlicensed operation, a misdemeanor count of DWI, and seven infractions, which include refusal to take a breath test.
Taylor was released to the custody of a sober third party.
Sheriff announces appointment allows for smooth transition in narco unit
Howard announced on Tuesday the appointment of a new leader in the Narcotics Unit.
In recently signed order, Howard promoted Senior Det. Daniel (DJ) Granville to chief of narcotics. Granville fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Alan Rozansky. Rozansky leaves the sheriff's office after 47 years of law enforcement service, which began with patrol deputy and ended with the rank of chief of narcotics.
Howard said, "Under Chief Rozansky's leadership and with his great skills, he made this unit into an elite narcotics investigation unit. The promotion of Senior Det. Granville to chief allows for a seamless transfer of leadership, so the unit won't lose any ground in their efforts to remove drug dealers from our community."
The promotion took effect June 10.
