Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III announces that 57 year-old John Fritz of William Street, Cheektowaga, New York will be arraigned at 9:30 a.m. before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth F. Case on an indictment charging him with two counts of Feloniously Driving While Intoxicated and Leaving the Scene of an Incident without Reporting.

The following is alleged: that on May 19, 2014 at approximately 10:30 a.m., while drunk, Fritz struck another vehicle as he proceeded through the intersection of William and Harlem Roads in Cheektowaga; that is where he clipped the rear of another vehicle as he continued on to Consumer's Beverages at Harlem and Dingens; that Fritz purchased beer; that the driver of the first vehicle struck by Fritz followed Fritz and blocked his vehicle until the police arrived; and, that Fritz had a .13% blood alcohol content. 

As alleged in the special information, Fritz was previously convicted of Feloniously Driving While Intoxicated in 2006.  As set forth in open court, Fritz has four other driving while under the influence convictions dating back to 1981.

Fritz remains incarcerated as a result of these pending charges and faces a maximum prison sentence of 4 years if convicted of these crimes. 

Like all defendants accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.