Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Kenneth Pringle of Buffalo was sentenced by Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns to five years in prison plus five years post-release supervision.

On December 18, 2016, Buffalo Police Officer Stephen Mikac observed Pringle driving a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker.  Officer Mikac attempted to pull over Pringle’s vehicle, and the defendant led the officer on a car chase in the middle of an ice storm.

Pringle was stuck behind traffic at the intersection of Best Street and Masten Avenue in Buffalo when Officer Mikac exited his vehicle and approached Pringle’s car. Officers Vincent Judge and Brian Connors responded to the intersection to assist Officer Mikac. They exited their vehicles on Masten Avenue and walked in the oncoming traffic lane toward Pringle’s car on Best Street. Pringle then turned his car into the oncoming lane, accelerated his vehicle and drove directly at Officers Judge and Connors. The officers had to jump out of the way and over a snowbank in order to avoid being hit by the car.

Pringle then led police on a car chase to his home where he was apprehended while attempting to run into his house.

In November 2017, the defendant pleaded guilty to Attempted Assault in the First Degree.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys John P. Gerken, Jr. and Erin E. Hart who are assigned to DA Flynn’s Felony Trial Bureau.