Man Arrested After Head-On Collision with Deputy’s Vehicle in Wheatfield

WHEATFIELD, N.Y. (WROC) – The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office apprehended a 52-year-old man on Saturday around 5 a.m. following a head-on collision with a deputy’s vehicle on Mapletown Road in the Town of Wheatfield. The deputy involved in the incident was identified as Deputy Sikora.

The suspect, identified as Schuyler Johnson, a resident of Cambria, was driving the vehicle that collided with Deputy Sikora’s patrol car. After the collision, Johnson immediately exited his vehicle and proceeded to the back of his pick-up truck to retrieve an item.

Upon witnessing Johnson’s actions, Deputy Sikora quickly took cover and assumed a tactical position at the back of his patrol vehicle, as reported by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO).

Despite Deputy Sikora’s verbal commands, Johnson disregarded them and continued with his actions. He retrieved a gas can from his vehicle and proceeded towards the front of the sheriff’s vehicle.

In a shocking turn of events, Johnson poured gasoline onto the patrol vehicle and set it ablaze, according to deputies.

Following the arson, Johnson fled the scene by heading north on Shawnee Road. Deputy Sikora used his radio to communicate the direction in which Johnson was fleeing, while also utilizing a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames engulfing the patrol vehicle.

Fortunately, Deputy Sikora emerged from the incident without any injuries. Additional patrol units were dispatched to assist in locating Johnson in the area of Shawnee Road.

The search for Johnson came to an end when a Sheriff’s Patrol Supervisor discovered his overturned vehicle on Shawnee Road, having been involved in another accident. Captain Grainge, who was present at the scene, initiated verbal commands for Johnson to surrender.

Despite the commands given by Captain Grainge, Johnson refused to comply and advanced towards him with a knife, as stated by the NCSO. In an attempt to subdue Johnson, Captain Grainge deployed his taser, but unfortunately, it failed to stop him.

During the altercation, Johnson momentarily dropped the knife he was wielding, only to rearm himself with a screwdriver and continue advancing towards Captain Grainge. In response, Captain Grainge employed OC spray, causing Johnson to finally surrender.

Johnson was subsequently transported to E.C.M.C. by Tri-Community Ambulance to receive medical treatment for injuries sustained in the two vehicle accidents. Upon his discharge from the hospital, Johnson will face numerous vehicle and traffic tickets, as well as various Penal Law charges.