Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 31-year-old Justice C. Coniglio of Buffalo pleaded guilty this afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to one count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Class “B” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest count in the indictment against him.

On December 1, 2021, at approximately 11:15 p.m., the defendant was driving at a high-rate of speed, while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, eastbound on Clinton Street when he rear-ended another vehicle that was stopped at the intersection of Babcock Street. The force of the collision caused the victim’s vehicle to rear-end a second vehicle stopped at the intersection.

The driver of the vehicle that was initially hit was fatally injured. The victim, 47-year-old James Boyd of Pennsylvania, died at the scene. The defendant was taken to ECMC where he was treated for serious injuries. The driver of the second vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Coniglio faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. He was remanded without bail.  

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit their work in this case.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Paul J. Glascott and Assistant District Attorney Christopher M. McCarthy of the Vehicular Crimes Unit.