Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 32-year-old Justice C. Coniglio of Buffalo was sentenced this afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to 6 to 12 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

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 E. Boyd, III of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, died at the scene. The defendant was taken to ECMC where he was treated for serious injuries. The driver of the second vehicle, a female from Lockport, suffered minor injuries.

Coniglio pleaded guilty to one count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Class “B” felony), the highest count in the indictment against him, on May 5, 2022.

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

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