Officer hospitalized after police vehicle crashes into tractor-trailer, catches fire

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Lewiston police officer was hospitalized Wednesday morning after a patrol vehicle crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer on Military Road and caught fire, the Lewiston Police Department announced.

Police said the crash happened around 5:30 a.m. at the I-190 north Military exit, where a patrol vehicle traveling northbound on Military struck the rear of a tractor-trailer, which caused it to ignite. The officer was reportedly pinned inside the on-fire vehicle and unresponsive.

Lewiston police officer Cody Bruyere was first on the scene and was able to pull the injured officer out of the flaming vehicle with the assistance of New York State trooper Adam Moen, according to police.

The officer suffered a broken ankle and a head injury. They were transported to ECMC where they are undergoing further testing, but are expected to be OK.

An investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

Military Road between Saunders Settlement Road and Upper Mountain Road was closed for close to four hours Wednesday morning, as was the I-190 north ramp to Exit 25A, but those roadways have since reopened.

Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here .