Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 32-year-old Lee Jimerson of Irving has pleaded guilty to Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case.

On December 25, 2015, Jimerson and his girlfriend, 40-year-old Heather Rozler of Salamanca went for a ride on Jimerson’s ATV with Jimerson driving and Rozler on the back.  The two drove north on Versailles Plank Road in the Town of Collins and while traveling on a relatively straight portion of the road, Jimerson lost control of the ATV, went off the road and into a ditch. 

Jimerson was uninjured in the crash but at some point, Rozler was thrown off the ATV, landed on the asphalt of the road and suffered a serious head injury.  Neither person was wearing a helmet. Rozler is still hospitalized. Jimerson consented to a blood draw and his BAC was measured at a .15%.

Jimerson faces a maximum of four years in prison when he is sentenced on August 29, 2016 at 9:30 a. m. by Judge Case.

Acting DA Flaherty commends the investigative work of the Erie County Sheriff's Office Accident Investigation Unit, including Sgt. Eric Kaderli, Deputy Jeff Ely and Deputy Simon Biegasiewicz.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher M. McCarthy prosecuted the case.