Niagara Falls: Kia, allegedly stolen from hotel parking lot, winds up in crash on Niagara Scenic Parkway

Information provided by Capt. Angela Munn

Commander – Traffic Division

Submitted by the Public Information Office

On Saturday, at approximately 8:22 a.m., two vehicles were involved in a crash on the Niagara Scenic Parkway.

One vehicle, a 2019 Hyundai Sonata, was reported stolen from the DoubleTree parking lot at 401 Buffalo Ave., The other was a Blue Kia from the parking lot of the Holiday Inn at 114 Buffalo Ave.

After being alerted by the victim of the theft of the Hyundai and given a direction of travel, an officer began canvassing the area. He spotted the Hyundai being followed by the Kia. When the officer activated his lights, the vehicles attempted to evade the police and got onto the Niagara Scenic Parkway heading eastbound. Another police cruiser, already on the Niagara Scenic Parkway, became involved in the pursuit.

At that time, the Kia blew a tire and the driver lost control of the vehicle. As it attempted to merge back into traffic, the Kia crashed into the Hyundai that was attempting to pass the police cruiser on the right. The Kia rolled, ejecting the male driver. The operator of the Hyundai subsequently pulled over and was taken into police custody.

The 16-year-old driver of the Kia is a resident of Cheektowaga. He was taken to Erie County Medical Center and was being treated for a broken arm and internal injuries. He was in surgery and his condition had not been updated at the time of this press release.

The 15-year-old driver of the Hyundai, also from Cheektowaga, claimed no injuries.

The Niagara Scenic Parkway eastbound, with the help of New York State Department of Transportation, was closed for almost five hours to process the scene and remove the vehicles and debris from the road.

The crash investigation unit responded and is continuing the investigation, along with the district attorney’s office, criminal investigations division, crime scene unit and detectives from the juvenile division. Charges are pending.