Buffalo, NY – A former garbage truck driver was sentenced to three years of probation after injuring a teenage boy. Sasiya Davis-Johnson, 48, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and reckless driving.
The incident occurred on October 2 when Davis-Johnson was driving a Buffalo Department of Public Works garbage truck. At approximately 8:16 a.m., she backed up the vehicle while on a one-way street and struck a 17-year-old boy.
The crash left the victim paralyzed from the waist down and requiring a leg amputation. He remains hospitalized after undergoing more than 30 surgeries.
Davis-Johnson faced up to 364 days in jail, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. During the sentencing, her attorney sought leniency, citing her lack of previous incidents and her remorse for the actions.
The teenager’s family filed a lawsuit against the City of Buffalo and Davis-Johnson. They alleged inadequate training and equipment issues contributed to the crash.
Davis-Johnson is no longer employed by the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works. The plea deal was made with the consent of the victim.