Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Haitham Kassem of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to 5 years of probation and a $1,000.00 fine.

On Thursday, October 20, 2020, at approximately 11:24 p.m., the defendant was driving a SUV southbound on Seneca Street near Princeton Place in the City of Buffalo when he hit a pedestrian who was walking on the shoulder of the road after crossing the street. The defendant initially stopped, but then drove away without reporting the incident to police.

The victim, a 63-year-old man from Buffalo, was taken to the hospital with serious physical injuries, including a fractured femur and pelvis. He underwent numerous surgeries and continues to recover from the injuries.

Kassem pleaded guilty to one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Resulting in Serious Physical Injury (Class “E” felony), the highest sustainable charge, on February 9, 2022.

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

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