Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Sasiya M. Davis-Johnson, 48, of Buffalo, was sentenced yesterday morning before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to three years of probation. In addition, her New York State driver’s license was revoked for the duration of her sentence.
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at approximately 8:16 a.m., the defendant was operating a garbage truck, while working for the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, near the intersection of Rhode Island Street and 14th Street in the City of Buffalo. The defendant recklessly drove the garbage truck by placing the vehicle in reverse and moving in the wrong direction on Rhode Island Street, a one-way street. A pedestrian was subsequently hit by the truck while crossing Rhode Island Street. The defendant recklessly caused physical injuries to the victim.
The victim, a male who was 17-years-old at the time of the incident, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he underwent numerous surgeries for serious physical injuries, including an amputation of his left leg. He remains hospitalized in a long-term care facility.
Davis-Johnson pleaded to one count of Assault in the Third Degree (Class A misdemeanor) and one count of Reckless Driving (unclassified misdemeanor under New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law) on October 8, 2025. The defendant, who is no longer employed by the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, was offered the reduced plea with the consent of the victim.
DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Patrick B. Shanahan and Assistant District Attorney Natasha G. Greenan of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.