BUFFALO, NY – A Grand Island man was found guilty of depraved indifference murder and nine other felonies by an Erie County Court jury in relation to a fatal crash in March 2023. Ronald F. Olson II, 44, was convicted for the incident that resulted in the death of an 18-year-old Buffalo man and the injury of four others.
The jury deliberated for a day before convicting Olson of murder and assault charges. The prosecution stated that Olson had encountered the group of young men at a gas station on Main Street, where he accused them of stealing his clothing items. After a confrontation, Olson pursued the SUV they were in and caused it to crash into a light pole and tree.
Tragically, the driver, Jarel Buchanan, lost his life at the scene of the crash. The four passengers, who were between the ages of 17 and 19, sustained serious injuries. During the trial, the jury requested to re-watch Olson’s interview with Buffalo police, where he claimed that the young men had robbed him and rammed his vehicle, denying any involvement in causing the crash.
In addition to the murder charge, Olson was found guilty of multiple counts of assault. Defense attorney Daniel DuBois expressed disappointment with the verdict but stated that they would be filing an appeal promptly. Olson has been in custody since his arraignment in November 2023 and is scheduled for sentencing on August 20th.
The case was prosecuted by Paul Glascott and Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Marino. Despite Olson being indicted on 11 felonies, one of the assault charges related to Buchanan’s injuries was dismissed as a lesser-included offense to the murder charge. The District Attorney’s Office provided this information as the trial came to a close.
Overall, the verdict in this tragic case marks a significant milestone in seeking justice for the victims and holding the defendant accountable for his actions. The legal proceedings have shed light on the events leading up to the fatal crash and highlighted the importance of responsible and safe behavior on the roads to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.