Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Alfred D. Santiago, 40, of Kenmore, pleaded guilty on Friday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Serious Physical Injury and one count of felony Driving While Intoxicated (Class “E” felonies). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charges.
On Sunday, September 8, 2024, at approximately 4:50 p.m., the defendant was driving a vehicle on West Abbott Grove Avenue in the Town of Orchard Park when he hit a pedestrian. Witnesses attempted to stop the vehicle, but the defendant drove away from the scene without reporting the incident to the police. The victim, a 63-year-old woman, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where she was treated for injuries to her upper body and fractured ribs. The crime occurred a short distance away from Highmark Stadium after a Buffalo Bills football game.
Witnesses reported a description of the vehicle to responding Orchard Park Police officers. Later the same evening, at approximately 5:40 p.m., the defendant was located by Kenmore Police on Victoria Boulevard. Officers determined that the defendant, who was driving a sedan that matched the description of the suspect vehicle involved in the hit-and-run, was operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Santiago faces a maximum of 8 years in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. He was released on his own recognizance.
DA Keane commends the Orchard Park Police Department and Kenmore Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher M. McCarthy of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.