BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Erie County District Attorney's Office said that a Grand Island man was arraigned in court Monday on second-degree murder and assault charges for a crash that happened in March that killed one and injured four others.
According to the news release, on March 20, 2023, Ronald F. Olson, II, 43, allegedly approached a Jeep Liberty, that was parked at a gas station on Main Street near Winspear Avenue when he was trying to sell items of clothing to the folks in Jeep.
Olson believed that the individuals in the jeep had driven off with an item that he was trying to sell, so he allegedly chased after the Jeep in his Chevrolet Silverado on Main Street.
Olson allegedly hit the driver’s side of the Jeep near the intersection of Benwood Avenue and caused the Jeep to run off of the roadway, hit a light pole then hit a tree.
The driver of the Jeep Liberty, 18-year-old Jarel Buchanan, died at the scene. The four passengers, a 17-year-old male, two 18-year-old males, and one 19-year-old man was seriously injured but survived.
Olson is being held without bail and is facing charges of one count of Murder in the Second Degree, five counts of Assault in the First Degree, and five counts of Assault in the Second Degree.
Olson faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.