Newly released body camera footage from the Rochester Police Department shows the aftermath of a car crash involving state Assemblyman David Gantt.
The crash happened on Central Park near North Union Street around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Police say a Dodge van was traveling east when it was struck by a "distracted driver."
A police report obtained by Spectrum News confirms that Gantt was the only person in his vehicle. It states that he was distracted, but it does not elaborate by what.
Four out of the five people inside the van were taken to the hospital for injuries and then released.
On video, the van driver is captured telling officers that Gantt hit her, hurting her neck. However, the assemblyman argues he stopped at the light and "looked both ways carefully." He says surveillance cameras on a nearby building will show it.
Officers then gave Gantt a breathalyzer test which registered a 0.00 BAC level.
Mayor Lovely Warren showed up to the scene after the crash. In a statement she said she was informed of the incident following the State of the County address:
“It is well known that David is like a father to me and I was concerned about his well-being. At the conclusion of the State of the County, I was informed that David was still in his car and they didn’t know if he was okay. Therefore, like anyone worried about a loved one, I went to check on him.”
Gantt was issued a citation for disobeying a traffic control device. The van driver was issued a citation for being an unlicensed operator and failure to wear a seatbelt.
Gantt is scheduled to appear in court June 14.
Watch the full body camera footage below: