A 17-year-old from Buffalo who was driving a Kia involved in a car accident that resulted in the deaths of four teens last fall has been sentenced to 16 months to four years in prison.
The teen had been driving the Kia Sportage at a high rate of speed around 6:40 a.m. on October 24, 2022, when the vehicle hit a concrete embankment where Route 33 meets Route 198. The crash caused five passengers to be ejected from the car, and four of them died in the accident. The deceased were identified as 14-year-old Ahjanae Harper, 16-year-old Kevin Payne, 17-year-old Swazine Swindle, and 19-year-old Marcus Webster. Additionally, a 14-year-old girl suffered critical injuries and was sent to ECMC.
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier that morning from Marine Drive in Buffalo. In June, the driver pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter, one count of assault, and one count of criminal possession of stolen property. Judge Susan Eagan had previously granted the teen youthful offender status, which set the parameters of his sentencing.
“This tragedy is heartbreaking for everyone involved, and we hope that the families of the victims can find some peace and closure,” said the District Attorney’s Office in a statement.
According to the authorities, the case serves as a reminder of the dangers of driving recklessly and stealing vehicles. The incident has also raised concerns about underage driving and access to stolen vehicles.
“The consequences of such reckless actions can be devastating, and we urge young drivers to be responsible behind the wheel,” said a spokesperson for the Buffalo Police Department.
Aidan Joly is a graduate of Canisius College and joined the News 4 staff in 2022. You can see more of his work here .
