Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 41-year-old Anthony Rydzewski of Angola was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller. He received an indeterminate sentence of 3 to 9 years in prison. Rydzewski was also ordered to pay the maximum fine of $5,000.
On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the defendant was recklessly driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Route 5 in the Town of Hamburg when he caused a collision with another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle, 37-year-old Jenny E. Zuhlke of Hamburg, died at the scene. The defendant was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was treated for injuries.
The defendant was located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania by the US Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force where he was taken into custody on an arrest warrant. He waived extradition proceedings and was returned to Western New York by members of the Hamburg Police Department to face prosecution in April 2024.
Rydzewski pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony), the highest sustainable charge, in July 2024. The defendant was not offered a reduced plea.
Acting DA Keane commends the Town of Hamburg Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bethany A. Solek of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.