(WNY News Now) – A Niagara County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher has been suspended pending an internal investigation after authorities say she struck a parked vehicle while off duty in the agency’s parking lot in Lockport.

A 61-year-old Niagara County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher has been arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and unsafe backing following a property damage accident at the sheriff’s office.

According to Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti, the incident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on October 15, 2026, at 5526 Niagara Street Extension in the Town of Lockport.

Investigators reported that Dispatcher Brenda D. Higgins, of North Tonawanda, struck a parked vehicle in the parking lot before patrol officers confronted her at the scene.

Higgins was off duty at the time of the incident. Her vehicle was towed from the scene and placed under a 12-hour hold, according to the sheriff’s office.

Higgins was taken into custody and held at the Niagara County Jail for Centralized Arraignment Part Court to answer the charges.

She has also been suspended from her position pending a departmental investigation and hearing.

Higgins joined the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office in July 2012, according to the department.

Sheriff’s officials said no additional information would be released at this time because the investigation remains ongoing and departmental charges are pending.

The criminal charges and internal disciplinary process are separate proceedings. Further details about the case have not been released. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.