Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 40-year-old Anthony Rydzewski of Cheektowaga was arraigned this morning before Hamburg Town Court Justice Carl W. Morgan on one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony), one count of Reckless Driving and one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors under New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law). Rydzewski was also charged with several New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law violations for imprudent speed, uninspected vehicle, unlicensed driver and a lane change violation.
It is alleged that 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 defendant is accused of recklessly changing lanes in an attempt to enter the intersection before the light turned where he crashed into the victim’s vehicle, which was turning left onto Lakeview Road. 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 to face prosecution.
Rydzewski is scheduled to return on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was held without bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, Rydzewski faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Acting DA Keane commends the Town of Hamburg Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Paul J. Glascott and Assistant District Attorney Bethany A. Solek of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.