GREECE, NY — A western New York police chief has been placed on leave after he crashed into a guardrail and then kept driving for several miles, authorities said.

Greece Police Chief Andrew Forsythe, whose crash last week is under investigation, was placed on administrative leave on Saturday, Town Supervisor Bill Reilich told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Deputy Chief Jason Helfer will serve as acting chief.

Forsythe crashed his department-issued sport utility vehicle into a guardrail on Route 390 at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, then kept driving, authorities said. Passersby reported seeing the SUV with sparks flying because of the apparent loss of one wheel.

Greece police told the newspaper that Forsythe swerved to avoid a deer, hit the guardrail, then continued driving because his radio was not working. He eventually stopped and called for assistance when his radio started working again, a department spokesperson said.

The SUV was totaled. Investigators from the Monroe County district attorney’s office were at the crash scene over the weekend, the Democrat and Chronicle said.

A message seeking comment was left at a phone number listed for Forsythe on Monday.