BUFFALO, NY – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 50-year-old Allen J. Stirling of Lancaster pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide (Class “E” felony) and two counts of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors). The defendant pleaded guilty to all counts in the indictment against him after his jury trial began yesterday afternoon.
On May 13, 2019, at approximately 9:57 p.m., the defendant was driving on William Street in the Town of Lancaster when he lost control of his SUV and crashed near Bowen Road. The defendant, who works as an auto mechanic, knowingly operated a vehicle that was unsafe to be driven, which caused the death of his passenger. The victim, 41-year-old Jodie Anstett of Lancaster, was ejected from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the crash, the defendant sent multiple threatening messages to family members of the deceased via text message and social media.
Stirling faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, May 2, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. He was released on his own recognizance.
DA Flynn commends Lt. Shaun DiMino and Officer Richard Albert of the Town of Lancaster Police Department for their work in the investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Paul J. Glascott and Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.