Drunk Driver Pleads Guilty to Felony Charges for High-Speed Attempt to Avoid Arrest

Modified: August 1, 2019 8:56am

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8/1/2019

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 44-year-old Ejay Corp of Buffalo pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to one count of Driving While Intoxicated, a Class “E” felony, one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the First Degree, a Class “E” felony, and Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, a Class “A” misdemeanor. The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest charge on Wednesday, July 31, 2019.

On Sunday, April 28, 2019, at approximately 8:45 a.m., patrol officers observed the defendant driving a vehicle at a high-rate of speed eastbound on Niagara Street in the City of Tonawanda. When the officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the defendant attempted to flee by speeding through red signals at four intersections and ten stop signs. The defendant finally drove through a stop sign on East Niagara Street and Delaware Avenue where he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree near the Erie Barge Canal. The defendant then attempted to run away, but was apprehended by police.

Officers detected that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol. Also, officers found cans of beer and a suspected crack pipe inside the vehicle. The defendant refused all field tests and a chemical test.

Corp faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 2 p.m. He remains remanded without bail.

DA Flynn commends City of Tonawanda Officers Frank Washburn and Thomas Harmon for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Paul C. Glascott, Chief of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau.