WHEATFIELD, N.Y. — A Cambria man faces a number of charges after deputies say he hit a patrol vehicle head-on and then poured gasoline on the police SUV and lit it on fire.
The incident happened just before 5 a.m. near Mapleton and Shawnee roads in the Town of Wheatfield.
A Niagara County Sheriff's Office deputy was on patrol when officials say a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction veered into the deputy's lane and crashed into the patrol vehicle. According to the sheriff's office, Schuyler P. Johnson, 52, exited his vehicle and went to the back of his pickup truck and retrieved a gas can.
The deputy exited his vehicle and went behind it to obtain cover while verbally engaging Johnson. Deputies say Johnson ignored commands, poured gas on the patrol vehicle, lit it on fire, and drove off. The deputy was able to radio for help and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. The deputy was not hurt.
Other responding deputies found Johnson, who was involved in another accident on Shawnee Road. His truck was overturned.
A captain with the Niagara County Sheriff's Office ordered Johnson to surrender. Deputies say he refused the orders and advanced toward the captain with a knife. The captain deployed his Taser, but it didn't stop Johnson, though he dropped the knife. Deputies say Johnson then armed himself with a screwdriver and advanced toward the captain, at which point he deployed OC spray on Johnson, causing him to surrender.
Johnson was taken by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center to be treated for injuries he sustained in both crashes. Charges are pending upon his release from the hospital.
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