GREECE, N.Y. — Greece Police Chief Drew Forsythe has submitted his resignation following a crash late last week in a police-issued vehicle, according to Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich.

Reilich made the announcement Monday morning, saying he asked Forsythe for his resignation following the incident and has received it.

Reilich released this statement addressing the chief's resignation:

“Due to the facts available at this time, I feel it is in the best interest of all of our residents that I ask the chief to step aside so we can continue serving the great residents of the Town of Greece without distraction. The independent investigation will, of course, continue. As I have been made aware of more and more specifics surrounding the incident, I felt this was the most appropriate step I could take. This weekend, with new facts being shared, I made the decision to place the chief on administrative leave seeking the guidance of our labor attorney as to what steps I could take within the law. Immediately upon his placement on leave, I appointed Deputy Chief Jason Helfer to serve as acting chief of police.

“We will move forward together, as we have when we have endured countless difficult times as a community. I have always put the needs of our residents as a priority and this decision was not taken lightly. I have to prioritize what is right for our residents and in this case they need to have faith that those of us charged with serving the best interests of the public will do the right thing."

“He told me, 'I’m sorry boss, I’m sorry. You gave me a tremendous opportunity,'" Reilich said when asked if Forsythe apologized.

In audio from a police scanner call Thursday morning, Greece police dispatchers can be heard describing a car driving without a tire and sparks flying.

When he called for help, Forsythe told dispatchers he hit a deer. 

No one was hurt in the crash.

Reilich says he wasn’t fully told all the details of what happened that morning, saying he didn’t learn more about the crash until Saturday morning.

“It was bad decision that was made and the consequences are being suffered," Reilich said. "It’s on everybody involved and everybody not involved."

The crash is under investigation by the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. 

The Monroe County District Attorney's Office says it will not provide any further details until the investigation is finished.

Reilich says he can’t comment on specifics about what happened, but believes the investigation will go beyond just looking into Forsythe’s actions.

“Procedures weren’t followed and it may go beyond just procedures not being followed," he explained. 

Reilich hasn’t seen the damage to the car yet because he didn’t want to influence an ongoing investigation. But he says the town will be as transparent as possible during the investigation.

Deputy Chief Jason Helfer will serve as acting chief of police.