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Accused Drunk Driver Arraigned on Felony Charges for Fatally Injuring Pedestrian in Hit-and-Run in City's Ferry-Fillmore Neighborhood

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 47-year-old Rinaldo R. Pearson of Buffalo was arraigned on Friday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Phillip Dabney on one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Resulting in Death (Class ā€œDā€ felony) and one count of felony Driving While Intoxicated (Class ā€œEā€ felony).

It is alleged that on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at approximately 4:40 a.m., Buffalo Police officers responded to a 911 call about a reported accident on the 1500 block of Broadway. The officers found a female pedestrian lying in the street. The victim, a 31-year-old woman from Depew, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where she later died.

It is further alleged that a short time later, Cheektowaga Police found the defendant driving a vehicle near the border of the City of Buffalo, which matched the description of the suspect vehicle involved in the hit-and-run. The defendant, who accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol, allegedly hit the pedestrian and drove away from the scene without reporting the incident to police. 

Pearson is scheduled to return on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. Judge Dabney set bail at $30,000 cash, $60,000 insurance company bail bond, $60,000 secured surety bond or $60,000 partially secured surety bond.

If convicted of the highest charge, Pearson faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.  

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher M. McCarthy of the Vehicular Crimes Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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