Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 31-year-old Carlton Tompkins of Buffalo pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Without Reporting, an E felony, and one count of Reckless Driving, an A misdemeanor.

On May 15, 2018, at approximately 4:50 p.m., the defendant was driving at a high rate of speed on the Kensington Expressway/Route 33 in the Town of Cheektowaga. Numerous eyewitnesses stated that the defendant was weaving in and out of traffic without signaling. When the defendant veered from the left lane into the center lane, his vehicle collided with another vehicle driven by a 57-year-old man. The crash caused the other driver to lose control and the vehicle flipped over.

As a result of the collision, the victim suffered serious physical injuries, including a fractured facial bones and a broken femur.

The defendant did not stop at the scene. A Good Samaritan followed Tompkins to his residence on Westminster Ave in the City of Buffalo and contacted authorities. When police confronted Tompkins about the crash he admitted he knew he hit the victim’s car, but drove off because he was “scared.”

Tompkins faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, August 6 at 9:30 a.m.

“This is another case where if the driver had stopped at the scene, he would not be facing a felony charge,” said DA Flynn. “I encourage anyone who is involved in a crash to stop and call 911. If you do not stop, you will be prosecuted.”

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of Officer Brian Gray and Officer J. Wodowski of the Cheektowaga Police Accident Investigation Unit. Also, the DA commends the actions of the Good Samaritan, which assisted law enforcement in quickly identifying the suspect.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher M. McCarthy of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.