Jamel Smalls Binghamton NY Death – A tragic incident unfolded on Monday night just north of Binghamton, when a 43-year-old man was struck and killed by a car in the Town of Dickinson.
The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, which began shortly after 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of Front and Bevier Streets. The victim, identified as Jamel Smalls, a Binghamton resident, was pronounced dead at the scene despite immediate attempts to save his life.
The suspected driver has been identified and charged, facing serious consequences. The Broome County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies were initially dispatched following reports of a man found lying on the roadside.
When they arrived, they discovered Smalls had sustained severe injuries, consistent with being struck by a vehicle. Deputies, alongside a security officer from Broome County, tried to revive Smalls, but tragically, their efforts were unsuccessful.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, debris left at the scene led to the belief that the vehicle involved had fled after the collision. A swift investigation was launched, leading authorities to the Town of Maine, where they located the vehicle suspected of being involved in the crash. The driver, 21-year-old Christian A. Rogler from Endicott, was taken into custody.
Investigators determined that Rogler was driving south on Upper Front Street when he struck Smalls, who was crossing the road in a marked crosswalk at the intersection with Bevier Street. Rogler, despite the impact and clear damage to his vehicle, fled the scene without stopping to check on Smalls or contact authorities.
Further complicating matters, Rogler is believed to have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. Upon his arrest, Rogler was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. These details led to his arraignment on several charges, including second-degree vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident—both felonies. In addition, he faces misdemeanor charges for driving while impaired by drugs and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar extended condolences to the family of Jamel Smalls, acknowledging the heartache caused by such a sudden and senseless loss. “Amidst this senseless tragedy,” Akshar said, “I pray that Smalls’ family might take some solace in the efforts of our team of investigators to swiftly bring the fleeing perpetrator of this crime to justice.”