Deputy injured when cruiser strikes tree at shopping center

Manlius NY -- An Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputy was injured Wednesday night when his car became airborne and struck a tree at the entrance to Fayetteville Towne Center. Deputy David Redhead's injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening, said Sheriff Kevin Walsh, who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash. He said Redhead was traveling east on East Genesee Street,...

Manlius NY -- An Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputy was injured Wednesday night when his car became airborne and struck a tree at the entrance to Fayetteville Towne Center.

Deputy David Redhead's injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening, said Sheriff Kevin Walsh, who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash.

He said Redhead was traveling east on East Genesee Street, “code red, with lights and siren,” responding to a report of an officer in need of assistance nearby involving an attempted arrest and a pit bull.

About 8:45, at the entrance to the shopping center, the cruiser came up behind a car driven by Sarah Meile, 19, of Jamesville. Redhead's cruiser struck Meile's car, sending the cruiser across the westbound lanes, over a curb and into the air.

The cruiser struck the tree, splintering its trunk about 4 feet above the ground, witnesses said.

Parts of the cruiser were tossed more than a dozen feet by the impact, some landing in the parking lot of the McDonald’s, witnesses said.

Stan Dhas, of Jamesville, said he was in line at the restaurant’s take-out window. He was about to call 911 to report the crash when he realized people all around him were doing so. Other people, including Meile, were hurrying to Redhead's aid, Dhas said.

Redhead was taken by Fayetteville Ambulance to Crouse Hospital. The heavily damaged cruiser remained while a county accident reconstruction team worked at the scene.

Meile suffered a bump to the head, said Walsh, but she declined medical care.

Walsh said other deputies were able to respond to the original incident, an arrest was made and the pit bull taken by an animal control officer.

Contact Charles McChesney at cmcchesney@syracuse.com.