Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 68-year-old Lawrence Penna of Williamsville has been sentenced by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth F. Case to five years probation. In addition, the defendant’s driver’s license was revoked for one year.

On June 7, 2017, the defendant was driving to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport to pick up family members when his car collided with another vehicle.  The driver of that vehicle was carrying four women from Minnesota who had arrived in Buffalo to attend a religious conference. The crash caused the vehicle to flip over, killing 53-year-old Daisy Josiah of Maplewood, Minnesota. Three other women were also injured.

Following the crash, Penna continued to drive, picked up his family member at the airport and left the scene. Police found the defendant at his home where he admitted his involvement.  If Penna had remained at the scene, he would not have faced any criminal charges. 

In November 2017, Penna pleaded guilty to Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Death.

DA Flynn commends the NFTA Police Department for their investigative work.

Chief Kelley A. Omel of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau prosecuted the case.