UTICA, N.Y. – A Utica man ended up with a broken ankle after crashing his dirt bike while fleeing from Utica police Wednesday evening.
Police said 26-year-old Brandon Silvagnoli was erratically driving his dirt bike alongside 34-year-old Joel Mateo, who was also illegally riding his four-wheeler on city streets. Both men were allegedly ignoring traffic lights and signs while violating other vehicle safety laws.
Officers pursued the two men who they say continued to drive recklessly through multiple intersections.
The officers then witnessed Silvagnoli ignore a stop light and crash into a vehicle at the intersection of Broad Street and Route 5S. He was ejected from the dirt bike and landed in the construction area near the intersection, suffering a broken ankle.
Silvagnoli was arrested and charged with fleeing an officer. He was also issued 14 traffic tickets.
Mateo returned to the scene after the crash, and was also arrested and charged with fleeing an officer. Police issued him 26 traffic tickets as well.