Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 41-year-old Jason P. Washington of Kenmore pleaded guilty on Friday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

On February 28, 2021, at approximately 1:15 a.m., the defendant was driving at a high-rate of speed southbound on Seneca Street in the City of Buffalo when he crossed the double yellow line into the northbound lane. The defendant, who was driving under the influence of alcohol, crashed his vehicle head-on into a northbound vehicle near Archer Avenue.

The driver of the northbound vehicle, 57-year-old Thomas Shoemaker of West Seneca, was killed. The defendant and his female passenger were taken to ECMC to be treated for their injuries.

Washington faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on February 16, 2022. He is currently out on bail.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in the investigation. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher McCarthy of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.