BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County District Attorney's Office says a Buffalo man has pleaded guilty to charges following an August 2019 crash that killed his passenger.
Officials say on August 3, 2019 around 6 a.m. 29-year-old Tremayne Brooks was driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana when he lost control of his SUV and struck a tree on Memorial Drive.
The crash caused the vehicle to flip and his passenger, 42-year-old Toni Abernathy, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials say Brooks attempted to run away from the crash but was arrested nearby and taken to ECMC where he spent nearly a month being treated for his injuries.
An illegal gun was also found inside the vehicle.
According to a release from Buffalo police in October 2019, Brooks was traveling almost double the 30 mph speed limit and had a BAC of .14 at the time of the crash.
The district attorney's office says Brooks pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter in the first degree and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and remains released on previously posted bail. Sentencing is scheduled for February 9.
