Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 68-year-old Lawrence Penna of Williamsville has pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth F. Case to Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Death. 

On June 7, 2017, the defendant was driving to the airport to pick up a family member when his car collided with another vehicle carrying four women from Minnesota who flew into Buffalo to attend a religious conference. 

The crash caused the car carrying the women to flip over, killing 53-year-old Daisy Josiah of Maplewood Minnesota, who was ejected from the vehicle, and injuring two other women. 

Penna drove on, picked up his family member and then fled the scene.  NFTA Police found him at his home shortly thereafter.  He admitted being involved in the collision and having seen the other car flip.  Had Penna remained on the scene, he would not have faced any criminal charges.    

Penna could face a maximum of 7 years in prison when he is sentenced by Judge Case on February 9, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. 

DA Flynn commends the NFTA Police Department for their investigative work. 

Chief Kelley A. Omel of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau prosecuted the case.