Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 25-year-old Dennis Xenos of Amherst has been sentenced by Erie County Court Judge Thomas P. Franczyk to 2-6 years in prison for a drunk driving crash that killed one man and injured another passenger. 

In December 2016, Xenos pleaded guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree. 

Xenos was intoxicated when he crashed his car at 3:20 a.m. Friday, July 8, 2016 on the "S" curves section of Delaware Avenue.  A passenger in the vehicle, Christopher Rizzo was pronounced dead at ECMC a short time later and another passenger, Veronica Hager is currently at home still recovering from her injuries.  

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of Buffalo Police Department Lt. Tom Leatherbarrow and Officer Robert Heidinger. 

“This case is a tragedy,” says DA Flynn. “Young people all over Western New York go out drinking and make the unfortunate choice to get behind the wheel. Some make it home safely, others do not. This is a perfect example of why we need ridesharing in our community.” 

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