Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 36-year-old Edward T. Harris of Town of Tonawanda was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to an indeterminate sentence of 2 to 6 years in prison. As part of the sentence, Judge Bargnesi ordered that his driver’s license be revoked for 12 months following his release.  

On March 26, 2019, at approximately 7:00 p.m., the defendant was driving a vehicle, while under the influence of cannabis, at a high-rate of speed on Oakridge Avenue in the Town of Tonawanda when he suddenly crossed Delaware Avenue and drove into a parking lot. The defendant’s vehicle hit a parked car then crashed into the Ken-Ton Presbyterian Village senior apartment building.

The defendant’s vehicle hit the wall of an occupied apartment, which caused serious structural damage to the building. The victim, 94-year-old Lida C. Alminate, was in the living room of her apartment at the time of the crash. The victim was subsequently injured after being buried by fallen debris. She was taken to ECMC where she died from her injuries on March 30, 2019.

On June 27, 2022, Judge Bargnesi found Harris guilty of one count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony), rendering his decision following three non-consecutive days of trial.

“It has been nearly three and a half years since Lida Alminate tragically lost her life due to this defendant’s reckless decision to drive while under the influence of cannabis. I hope that her family feels that justice has been served by this defendant being convicted of a felony and sentenced to state prison today,” said Erie County DA John Flynn.

DA Flynn commends the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Paul J. Glascott of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney John G. Schoemick of the Major Crimes Unit.