Buffalo teen sentenced for hit-and-run of Cheektowaga police officer

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A 19-year-old from Buffalo was sentenced Thursday for hitting and seriously injuring a Cheektowaga police officer last February, the Erie County District Attorney's Office announced.

Officer Troy Blackchief, who was 45 years old at the time, suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of the crash and is still recovering.

"It's our responsibility to advocate for these victims. And in this case, it's a police officer who is doing his job," Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane said. "It's very emotional. I know it is very emotional for the police officer and for his wife. His family's been through a lot. They really were looking for some closure."

According to officials, Patrick Prim, III, and other individuals were looking for cars to steal around Penora Street in Lancaster around 4 a.m. Feb. 6. Prim stole a white Jeep Grand Cherokee while his accomplices stole a maroon Jeep Cherokee parked nearby.

Less than thirty minutes later, Depew Police on routine patrol saw the vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed and pursued them as they traveled into Cheektowaga. Blackchief was attempting to deploy a stop stick on Union Road when he was hit.

Prim fled the scene and abandoned the stolen vehicle outside of a gas station on Kensington Avenue. He pleaded guilty in May to the following charges:

• first-degree assault
• third-degree grand larceny
• first-degree reckless endangerment
• third-degree criminal possession of stolen property
• second-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle

Despite being 17 years old when the hit-and-run occurred, Prim did not receive youthful offender status.

"I am pleased that the Court agreed that youthful offender adjudication was not appropriate in this case due to the serious nature of this crime and sentenced the adolescent offender to a more significant term of incarceration," Keane said.

Prim was given a sentence of five years in prison along with 2 1/2 years of post-release supervision.