Criminal Charges After Adult Crashes ATV With Kids on Back

GROVELAND — A Tonawanda woman  was arrested on multiple charges including a felony after an ATV crash that involved two children.

According to a press release from Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, Sheryl A. Palermo, 51, was allegedly driving the ATV on Vanbuskirk Road with two children passengers, ages 8 and 10. The investigation alleged that Palermo was unable to navigate the T-intersection of Groveland Hill Road due to high speeds, and the ATV crossed over Groveland Hill Road into a ditch causing the occupants to fall from the vehicle.There were no injuries as a result of the incident, but Palermo was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.

As a result of the DWI investigation, which included standardized field sobriety tests, Palermo was taken into custody for for felony Driving While Intoxicated, felony Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Passenger Less Than 16 Years Old (Leandra’s Law), felony Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the 1st degree, two counts of Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd degree, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, along with multiple violations of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law. The DWI and AUO charges were felonies as Palermo did have previous DWI convictions andalso had a revoked NYS driver’s license due to an alcohol related conviction. Palermo was then taken to the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters in Geneseo where she refused to submit to a chemical test to determine her blood alcohol content (BAC).

Palermo was then turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level charges and $7,500 cash or $15,000 bond was recommended. Palermo was later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part at the Livingston County Jail before Town of Geneseo Justice Kathleen Houston. The Judge did remand Palermo to the custody of the Sheriff on $750 cash bail or $1,500 bond.