The suspect sought in Thursday's fatal crash has spoken with police.
Jeremiah Burgess, 22, of 22 Porter Ave., Silver Creek appeared at the County District Attorney's Office Friday afternoon.
"He was cooperative. He appeared with his lawyer and provided a statement," District Attorney David Foley said.
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Jeremiah Burgess
Burgess appeared with attorney James Subjack and had been sought by authorities in connection with an accident early Thursday morning in the town of Hanover. Police believe Burgess was the driver of a vehicle that crashed near the intersection split of Routes 5 and 20.
Burgess was not taken into police custody but according to Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace evidence points to Burgess as the driver of the vehicle.
"We have evidence that puts him behind the wheel," he said.
The investigation is continuing and formal charges are pending the completion of the investigation including the final autopsy and toxicology reports from the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office.
"We're analyzing evidence but the key factor is the medical examiner's report," Gerace said.
Foley spoke with the medical examiner's officer Friday morning and said the reports could take up to a few weeks to be ready. Until a cause of death is determined, no charges can be filed.
"We have to wait for the investigation to be completed," Foley said.
It is believed Burgess was driving a vehicle west on Routes 5 and 20 around 3 a.m. and lost control after turning onto the split on Route 5, crashing into a concrete abutment a ditch. A passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Jeremy Long of Silver Creek, died as a result of the accident. Burgess then allegedly fled the scene of the accident.
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