BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Five officers with the Buffalo Police Department have been placed on administrative leave as an investigation continues into their actions responding to a series of crashes involving an Erie County Sheriff's chief exactly one year ago.
Chief Daniel "DJ" Granville was in his county-owned pickup truck late at night on April 11, 2024, when he hit seven vehicles on three different West Side streets. A lawsuit claimed he was "impaired" at the time, though he was not administered a breathalyzer test and no criminal charges were filed.
Video obtained by The Buffalo News appears to show Granville driving the wrong way down Prospect Avenue before crashing into two parked cars. He then slowly backs up and drives away. In the footage, a woman can be heard screaming after the crash, questioning what happened. You can watch the video below or read more here.
His sister-in-law, BPD Lieutenant Lucia Esquilin, signed off on accident reports that night. She is among the officers now on paid leave pending a review by Buffalo Police Internal Affairs.
"As part of the investigation, Buffalo Police Commissioner Alphonso Wright has placed five officers on non-disciplinary administrative leave in connection with the ongoing review of the Granville incident," according to a statement from the Buffalo Police Department to 7 News. "This action does not imply guilt or wrongdoing by any of the involved officers."
Three traffic citations were filed Friday against Granville, according to Buffalo Police Commissioner Alphonso Wright, for leaving the scene of a property damage accident without reporting. It is a petty offense, which is essentially a traffic ticket. The citations had to be filed by Friday, because they have a one-year statute of limitations.
New York State law has a one-year statute of limitations for offenses below the misdemeanor level. Judge Penny Wolfgang explains more in the video below.
The Niagara County District Attorney's Office is investigating the case after Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane asked a judge for a special prosecutor to avoid an appearance of a conflict of interest.
"Today, at my office's request, the Buffalo Police Department issued three vehicle and traffic citations to Daniel J. Granville for incidents occurring on April 11, 2024. Mr. Granville is charged with three counts of leaving the scene of a property damage accident without reporting, in violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law §600(1)(a), occurring on Jersey Street and Prospect Avenue in the City of Buffalo," according to a statement from Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman. "My office continues to investigate this matter. There will be no further comment at this time. A charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."
The citations technically carry a penalty of a fine of up to $250 and 15 days in prison, though incarceration for traffic infractions is extremely rare.
The following five officers are on administrative leave, a source told 7 News' Michael Wooten:
Lieutenant Lucia Esquilin
Officer Brittany Bartels
Officer Thomas Karbowski
Officer Lisa Perillo
Officer Omar Tirado
7 News has reached out to the attorney representing Granville, Terry Connors, for comment.
