Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 39-year-old Paul D. McCaslin of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to 5 years of probation.
On Saturday, March 18, 2023 at approximately 8:45 p.m., the defendant was driving at a high-rate of speed while under the influence of alcohol when he crashed his vehicle into several trees on McKinley Parkway in the City of Buffalo. Christopher J. Kleinbach, age 44, of Buffalo, was injured in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene. McCaslin was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was treated for injuries.
McCaslin pleaded guilty to one count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony), the highest sustainable charge, on September 5, 2023. As part of his sentence today, the defendant was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, surcharges and his driver’s license was revoked for 12 months. Once his re-licensure is approved, an ignition interlock device must remain installed in his vehicle for the next 5 years.
DA Flynn commends the work of the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work on this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bethany A. Solek of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.