BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A man from Angola has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in a crash that killed an 8-year-old boy from Blasdell in June 2024.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office said 53-year-old Markus R. Genovese pleaded guilty in Erie County Court to one count of second-degree manslaughter, one count of second-degree vehicular manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death.
According to the DA's office, on June 8, 2024, Genovese was driving a pickup truck north on Route 5 in Hamburg when he crashed into the rear end of another vehicle that was stopped at the intersection to make a left turn onto Eckhardt Road. He was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and without a valid license when he crashed. After the crash, he abandoned his vehicle and ran from the scene. He was located in the woods nearby a short time later.
Two children were passengers in the vehicle that Genovese hit. Eight-year-old Thomas Ross of Blasdell, who was sitting in the backseat on the driver's side, was killed in the crash. A four-year-old, who was sitting in the backseat on the passenger's side, was hurt and taken to Oishei Children’s Hospital, where he was treated for injuries and released.
Watch: Remembering 8-year-old Thomas Ross who was killed in the crash on Route 5.
Genovese is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and remains held without bail.
