Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 22-year-old Robert Sutherland of Delevan has pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Michael F. Pietruszka to Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree for causing a fatal crash.

On July 6, 2016 on Route 39 in the Town of Sardinia, Sutherland was high on marijuana and speeding when his car crossed the center line and fatally struck 22-year-old Sam Pagano of Sardinia who was surveying the road.

Sutherland faces a maximum of 7 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 6, 2017 at 2 p.m. by Judge Pietruszka.

DA Flynn commends the work of the Erie County Sheriff’s Crash Investigative Unit including Deputies Simon Biegasiewicz, Jeff Ely, Christopher Soluri and Sgt. Eric Kaderli.

Assistant District Attorney Lauren Nash prosecuted the case.