Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Travis Rosario, 51, of Niagara Falls, was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case. He received a split sentence of 90 days in jail followed by five years of probation.
On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at approximately 4:56 a.m., the defendant was driving a vehicle on Luiz Kahl Way near the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport in the Town of Cheektowaga when he hit a pedestrian who was crossing the road near Genesee Street. The defendant drove away from the scene without reporting the incident to the police.
The victim, a 44-year-old male from Williamsville, was taken by ambulance to ECMC with serious physical injuries, including a head injury and multiple fractures.
Rosario pleaded guilty to one count of Leaving the Scene of Incident Resulting in Serious Injury (Class “E” felony) in September 2024. The defendant, who was not offered a plea to a reduced charge, pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.
Acting DA Keane commends the NFTA Police Department and Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher M. McCarthy of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.