Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 35-year-old Nicholas M. Rich of Darien pleaded guilty this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to one count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Class “B” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.
On Friday, October 13, 2023, at approximately 8:40 p.m., the defendant was recklessly driving a vehicle at a high-rate of speed, while under the influence of alcohol, when he caused a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Broadway and Schwartz Road in the Town of Lancaster.
The driver and one passenger of the other vehicle were taken to ECMC with physical injuries. A second passenger, a 10-year-old boy, was fatally injured in the crash and pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s Campus. The defendant was also transported to ECMC with injuries.
Rich faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. He continues to be held without bail.
DA Flynn commends Detective Lieutenant Shaun Dimino and the Lancaster 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.