Police search for fatal crash suspect

HANOVER, N.Y. (WIVB) - Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Deputies are hunting for a driver involved in a deadly crash. The passenger in the car was killed, and the driver was well enough to walk away and hasn’t been seen since.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff is looking for 22-year-old Jeremiah Burgess, who investigators believe was driving the small sedan that crashed at 3 a.m. Thursday, at Routes 5 and 20 in the Town of Hanover.  

PHOTO GALLERY | Suspect's photo and images from the crash scene

The crash killed the passenger, 22-year-old Jeremy Long of Silver Creek, but when sheriff deputies arrived, they could not find the driver Jeremiah Burgess who they believe was driving too fast. At the scene, you can see the long skid mark leading to the ditch where the car crashed.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace said, "They attempt to make the cut off to Route 5 and the driver was driving at a high rate of speed and they ended up in the ditch."

Both the driver and victim worked at Aunt Millie's Diner, right down the road from the crash scene. The manager told News 4 they worked until closing time Wednesday night. After work, News 4 learned both went to Kelly's Pub, which is also right down the road from the scene. And sometime after they left the pub, they crashed a few miles down the road.

“The roads were dry and clear, but we believe the vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed, left the roadway, went into an earthen embankment, ended up with the death of one individual," Sheriff Gerace said.

Long was not believed to be wearing a seatbelt. It is unknown of Burgess was, but he was well enough to flee the scene.

Sheriff Gerace said, "I believe, personally, he fled because he was under the influence of alcohol or another drug and didn't want to be apprehended."

If that is the case, Sheriff Gerace says in this case Burgess should have done the right thing and got his friend help.

"He didn't know what the condition of his friend was. He's not a doctor. Own up. Don't be a wimp. He's a corward. Kills his friend and runs," he said.

If you know where Jeremiah Burgess is, call the Chautauqua County sheriff's Office at 753-2131.