Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 42-year-old Jason P. Washington of Kenmore was sentenced yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to an indeterminate sentence of 1 2/3 to 5 years in prison.   

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 another 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 pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony), the highest sustainable charge, on October 11, 2021.

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 M. McCarthy of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.