Buffalo Councilmember Seeks State Probe Into Erie County Sheriff's Crash Series

Buffalo Common Council member David Rivera has called for an independent investigation by New York State Attorney General Letitia James into a series of crashes involving Erie County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Narcotics D.J. Granville. The crashes occurred in April 2024, when Granville allegedly collided with seven vehicles, causing significant damage. Rivera expressed concerns about a lack of transparency, procedural lapses, and potential cover-up, noting that Buffalo Police allegedly failed to follow standard protocols such as activating body cameras and interviewing witnesses. Currently, the case is under review by the Niagara County District Attorney's Office, but Rivera argues that a state-level probe is necessary to ensure impartiality and restore public trust. Granville was placed on leave following the incident, and the Buffalo Common Council’s Police Oversight Committee, chaired by Rivera, has been pressing for accountability amid perceived conflicts of interest and delayed information disclosure. Rivera emphasized that the residents directly impacted deserve clear answers and proper oversight of law enforcement conduct.