UPDATE: Vincent Sandonato pleaded guilty to one count of Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol (DWAI/Alcohol) before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin Keane on February 16, 2021. He was ordered to pay a $300 fine and $255 surcharge. His driver’s license was suspended for 90 days.

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 34-year-old Vincent Sandonato of Niagara Falls has been arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Amy C. Martoche on one count of Driving While Intoxicated, a Class “A” misdemeanor.

It is alleged that on June 23, 2020, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the defendant was driving on Niagara Falls Boulevard in the City of Niagara Falls when his vehicle was stopped by a New York State Police trooper for failure to maintain the vehicle in the southbound lane. The trooper allegedly observed signs of alcohol intoxication.

The matter was transferred to Buffalo City Court after Niagara Falls City Court judges recused themselves from the case. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office was appointed as a special prosecutor.

Sandonato is scheduled to return on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. He was released on his own recognizance.

If convicted on the charge, Sandonato faces a maximum of 1 year in jail.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Vincent Sandonato pleaded guilty to one count of Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol (DWAI/Alcohol) before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin Keane on February 16, 2021. He was ordered to pay a $300 fine and $255 surcharge. His driver’s license was suspended for 90 days.