Lawmakers Demanding Accountability in Narcotics Chief Hit-and-Run
Upstate lawmakers are demanding answers regarding Erie County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Narcotics and Intelligence Daniel "DJ" Granville and a series of hit-and-run crashes involving a county-owned vehicle. According to reports, Granville lost control of his county-issued Dodge Ram-1500 pickup truck in April 2024, crashing into eight parked cars near the intersection of Jersey Street and Prospect Avenue on Buffalo’s West Side.
Allegedly operating while impaired, Granville was not administered a sobriety test and only received a citation for driving the wrong way down a one-way street. He later paid a $150 fine only for jaywalking. Taxpayers have funded $60,000 in settlements paid to owners of the cars Granville struck. The sheriff’s office did not conduct its own investigation into whether Granville was intoxicated.
Typically, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Unit responds to incidents involving county-owned vehicles, and investigations are opened by the Professional Standards Division regarding alleged deputy misconduct. Neither appeared to have happened in connection with Granville's case and he continues to hold his position within the department.
Niagara District Council Member David A. Rivera, whose district includes the crash site, has criticized Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia’s office for failing to conduct its own investigation. Nearly a year later, Rivera emphasized that the Sheriff’s Office should have taken immediate action, given that a county vehicle and a high-ranking official were involved. He rejected Garcia’s characterization of the incident as a routine accident, arguing that without an internal inquiry, the sheriff’s office cannot credibly make such a claim.
Concerns continue to mount over handling the case, particularly regarding the role of Lt. Lucia Esquilin, Granville’s sister-in-law, who responded to the scene. The Buffalo Police Department Internal Affairs Division is investigating her involvement, but it is unclear whether they are also addressing the allegations that Granville was impaired at the time of the crash.
Garcia said his office is awaiting the results of the Buffalo Police Department investigation before publicly commenting about the incident. Erie County legislators were not satisfied, and on Thursday passed a resolution to form an investigative committee and set a public hearing date for April 24. Testimony is expected from Granville, Garcia, and Erie County Attorney Jeremy Toth.
Dan Chiacchia Injury Attorneys is a full-service personal injury law firm. To learn more about our services, call 716-648-3030 or contact us online to schedule a free case review. Located in Hamburg, New York, we serve clients in West Seneca, Orchard Park, Lackawanna, Cheektowaga, Erie County, and the rest of the county.