Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Justin A. Wnuk, 43, of, Orchard Park, was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Debra L. Givens to nine months in jail. As part of the sentence, the defendant’s driver’s license was revoked.
On Sunday, July 7, 2024, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the defendant was driving a sedan westbound on Hunters Ridge Road in the Town of Orchard Park when he hit a pedestrian with his vehicle. The defendant drove away from the scene without reporting the incident to law enforcement.
The victim, a 69-year-old woman, was pushing a child in a stroller along the roadside at the time of the incident. The victim was taken by ambulance to ECMC where she was treated for multiple serious physical injuries, including a head injury and fractures to her knee, hip and spine. The child, a female toddler, suffered minor scrapes during the incident. The defendant was located a short time later by responding police officers.
Wnuk pleaded guilty to one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Serious Physical Injury (Class “E” felony under New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law) on November 12, 2024. The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge and was not offered a reduced plea.
DA Keane commends Lieutenant Michael Mackey, Officer Alex Vranic, Officer Michael Lococo and Officer Kelly Wyrough of the Orchard Park Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Christine O. Murray and Natasha G. Greenan of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.