Drunk Driver Sentenced For Crash That Paralyzed Another Driver

Modified: June 29, 2017 3:38pm

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6/23/2017

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 55-year-old Kevin Reyome of Buffalo has been sentenced by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth F. Case to one and a half years in prison for a drunken driving crash that paralyzed another driver. 

In March, Reyome pleaded guilty to Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree and Leaving the Scene of a Serious Physical Injury Accident. 

After midnight on September 16, 2016, Reyome was driving his pickup when he struck the back of a vehicle driven by 37-year-old John Reinard of Buffalo as it was stopped at a red light on Harlem Road in the Town of Cheektowaga.  Reyome drove away from the scene, but was quickly apprehended. A test revealed his blood alcohol content at .14%, almost twice the legal limit. 

As a result of the crash, Reinard is now paralyzed from the waist down. 

Judge Case revoked the defendant’s license, ordered his car fitted with an interlock ignition device and required Reyome to speak about the dangers of drinking and driving on a Victim Impact Panel. 

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of the Town of Cheektowaga Police Department, including Officer Brian Bzibziak. 

Assistant District Attorney Christopher M. McCarthy of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau prosecuted the case.