BUFFALO, NY – A 31-year-old man pleaded guilty in court to aggravated vehicular homicide for a deadly crash that took place on December 1st of last year, according to Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn.
Court records show 31-year-old Justice C. Coniglio of Buffalo pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, on December 1, 2021, at approximately 11:15 p.m., the defendant was driving at a high rate of speed, while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, eastbound on Clinton Street when he rear-ended another vehicle that was stopped at the intersection of Babcock Street.
“The force of the collision caused the victim’s vehicle to rear-end a second vehicle stopped at the intersection,” Flynn said in a statement. “The driver of the vehicle that was initially hit was fatally injured. The victim, 47-year-old James Boyd of Pennsylvania, died at the scene. The defendant was taken to ECMC where he was treated for serious injuries. The driver of the second vehicle suffered minor injuries.”
Coniglio faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced in September.