BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Buffalo man has pleaded guilty for his role in an incident that injured a Town of Tonawanda Police officer last year.
Dareious T. Akbar, 20, plead guilty in Erie County Court to two counts of Assault in the First Degree, one count of Assault Upon a Police Officer, one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree and one count of Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree.
The incident happened on May 29, 2023. According to investigators, Town of Tonawanda police officers attempted to pull over a vehicle that allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Sheridan Drive and Sheridan-Parkside Drive. Police say the vehicle, a 2019 Kia Sportage was reported stolen from the Village of East Aurora earlier in the day.
Akbar, who was reported to be driving the stolen vehicle, drove off. One of the police officers, Officer David Piatek, was dragged by the vehicle. Piatek was taken by ambulance to ECMC with several injuries, including a head injury.
Today, the defendant pleaded guilty to two assault charges under the different legal theories of acting recklessly evincing a depraved indifference to human life and causing serious physical injuries to the victim during the commission of a felony.
The DA's office says the judge in the case, Hon. Kenneth Case, issued a written decision on June 6, 2024, which dismissed one count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, one count of Aggravated Assault Upon a Police Officer, and one count of Assault in the First Degree. The DA's office says they are appealing that ruling.
Akbar faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced in October. He remains held without bail.
