Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A Buffalo teen was sentenced Thursday morning after pleading guilty to striking a Cheektowaga police officer back in February 2023, resulting in serious physical injuries to the officer.
19-year-old Patrick Prim III received a determinate sentence of five years in prison, followed by two-and-a-half years of post-release supervision before Youth Part Judge Brenda Freedman. The Erie County District Attorney's Office opposed youthful offender adjudication, and it was not granted by Judge Freedman.
Back on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 at approximately 4 a.m. EST, the defendant and other individuals were looking for vehicles to steal in the area of Penora Street in the Town of Lancaster. The defendant stole a white Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was parked outside of a residence with the keys inside of the vehicle.
His accomplices stole a maroon Jeep Cherokee, which was parked outside of a neighboring home.
A short time later, at approximately 4:25 a.m. EST, a Depew police officer on routine patrol saw the two Jeeps traveling at a high rate of speed Westbound on Walden Avenue. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop and pursued the two vehicles as they traveled into the Town of Cheektowaga.
A Cheektowaga Police patrol officer was attempting to deploy a "Stop Stick" on Union Road near the entrance to the Kensington Expressway when he was hit by the white Jeep Cherokee.
The adolescent offender, who was 17-years-old at the time of the incident, continued to drive after hitting the officer, then abandoned the stolen vehicle outside of a gas station on Kensington Avenue near Century Road.
The Depew police officer rendered first aid to the injured police officer until he was taken by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center in critical condition.
The victim, then 45-year-old Officer Troy Blackchief, suffered a traumatic brain injury and other serious physical injuries. Officer Blackchief spent several months at the hospital and long-term care rehabilitation. He continues to recover from the injuries.
On May 20 this year, the adolescent offender pleaded guilty to the following:
- One count of Assault in the First Degree (Class "B" violent felony);
- One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree;
- One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree;
- One count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (Class "D" felony);
- One count of Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree (Class "E" felony).
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges in full satisfaction of the indictment while the case was being handled by the Monroe County District Attorney's Office as a special prosecutor.
After the case was returned to the Erie County District Attorney's Office following a decision by the Fourth Judicial Department Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, prosecutors argued the adolescent offender should not be adjudicated as a youthful offender due to the serious nature of the crime, and the severity of the injuries suffered by Officer Blackchief.
The adolescent offender declined to withdraw his plea on Thursday, and Judge Freedman denied youthful offender adjudication. The Erie County District Attorney's Office has not previously released the name of the adolescent offender due to his age at the time of the crime and eligibility for youthful offender adjudication.
"I am pleased that the Court agreed that youthful offender adjudication was not appropriate in this case due to the serious nature of this crime and sentenced the adolescent offender to more significant term of incarceration. I wish Officer Blackchief well as he continues to heal," said Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane.
