Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announced that Supreme Court Justice Penny M. Wolfgang sentenced 23 year old Anthony Thompson of 35 Thornton Avenue, Buffalo, to 7 to 15 years in state prison

On May 21, 2012 Thompson pleaded guilty, as charged, to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Assault in the Second Degree and three counts of Assault in the Third Degree.  These are the highest charges for which Thompson could have been convicted had he gone to trial. 

Thompson admitted that on February 25, 2011, he was driving recklessly and while intoxicated, with a blood alcohol content of at least .15%.  Thompson further admitted to traveling 66 mph in a 30 mph zone; to running multiple stop signs and red lights on Ferry Street in the City of Buffalo; and to crashing his vehicle into another vehicle driven by off-duty Buffalo Police Officer Gary Sengbush. As a result of Thompson’s drunk and reckless driving, a passenger in Thompson’s vehicle, 20 year old Honey Ransom of 372 Herman Street, Buffalo, died; Officer Sengbush suffered serious and permanent physical injuries and continues long-term rehabilitation; and three additional passengers in Thompson’s vehicle were also injured.

The case was successfully prosecuted by Thomas M. Finnerty, Counsel to the District Attorney and Eugene T. Partridge, III, Assistant District Attorney.