Man accused of hitting teens in cuffs

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - City of Tonawanda Police say an alleged hit and run driver turned himself in on Friday.

Police say 31-year-old Leslie Ralston sparked a chaotic scene after hitting two teens in the City of Tonawanda Thursday night.

Police responded to the scene around 9:30 p.m. Thursday , after they say Ralston hit two teens crossing Niagara Street in the City of Tonawanda, and took off. The 18-year-old male and 16-year-old female were transported to ECMC, where according to fire officials, their injuries are considered non life-threatening.

David Hunt said, "Like I said, it's just unbelievable that it happens right in front of a police station, right in front of a police station."

Hunt witnessed the whole accident and said cars go to fast down the road all the time.

Hunt said, "The speed limit is 30 on this street, they are always flying by, and they didn't even hesitate when the couple was crossing the street."

According to Hunt, after the two teens were struck, the car took off swerving down the road. That's when according to police, a 42-year-old Cheektowaga man who was a passenger in the car bailed out. That man was transported to ECMC with injuries.

Police later tracked down Ralston's vehicle in a Dollar General lot in Cheektowaga. Hunt wants to make sure accidents like this don't happen again.

Hunt said, "This is a park here. This is a family neighborhood. People are crossing the streets all the time, and they need to slow down. I mean the police do do an excellent job. I mean they do pull them over constantly. But they'd have to have someone sitting out here 24 hours a day."

After turning himself in on Friday, Ralston was taken to the Erie County Holding Center on $10,000 bail. He has been charged with second degree assault, three counts of leaving the scene of an injury accident, and aggravated unlicensed operation.

Police say he may face additional charges.