PORTLAND — Members assigned to NYSP Fredonia investigated a fatal collision on State Route 5 in the town of Portland on Sept. 24 at approximately 4:30 p.m.
The investigation determined troopers initiated a pursuit after observing Joseph Damico, 44 of Dunkirk, N.Y., operating a motor vehicle westbound on State Route 5 in the town of Dunkirk.
The pursuit lasted approximately six minutes, and ended when the suspect’s vehicle, a 2010 Jeep Liberty, struck the rear of a 2013 Toyota Rav 4.
Both vehicles exited the roadway and came to rest in a steep, high banked drainage ditch.
Damico was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the other operator did not sustain any injuries.
The NYSP Collision Reconstruction Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Forensic Identification Unit, Professional Standards Bureau and the Attorney General’s Office responded and are involved in the ongoing investigation.
