Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Haitham Kassem of Buffalo pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Resulting in Serious Physical Injury (Class “E” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

On Thursday, October 20, 2020, at approximately 11:24 p.m., the defendant was driving a SUV southbound on Seneca Street in the City of Buffalo when he hit a pedestrian who was on the shoulder of the road after crossing the street near Princeton Place. The defendant stopped, but then drove away without reporting the incident to police.

The victim, a 63-year-old man from Buffalo, was taken to the hospital with serious physical injuries, including a fractured femur and pelvis. He continues to recover from those injuries after undergoing numerous surgeries.

Kassem faces a maximum of four years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. He remains released on his own recognizance.  

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher M. McCarthy of the Vehicular Crimes Unit.