(WNY News Now) – A Buffalo woman has been sentenced to six months in jail and five years of probation after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a December 2025 crash that killed an 81-year-old pedestrian and his dog.
Renaiyah A. Cornelious, 32, of Buffalo, was sentenced Friday before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek. Her New York State driver’s license was also revoked as a condition of the sentence.
Photo By Erie County DA’s Office
According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Cornelious was driving on the evening of Dec. 27, 2025, when she struck a pedestrian at the intersection of McKinley Avenue and Lorraine Avenue in Buffalo.
The pedestrian, identified as 81-year-old Daniel H. Zuchlewski, was walking a dog through a crosswalk when he was struck. Zuchlewski was pronounced dead at the scene. The dog also died in the crash.
Prosecutors said Cornelious was under the influence of alcohol and cannabis at the time. Two children were also inside her vehicle.
In May 2026, Cornelious pleaded guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class D felony, and Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, a Class E felony under New York state law. The guilty plea resolved the indictment.
The sentence includes six months in jail followed by five years of probation.
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office credited members of the Buffalo Police Department with conducting the investigation, including Lieutenant Patrick McDonald, Officer Creana Jenkins, Officer Nikko Casillas and the department’s Accident Investigation Unit.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Chief Christopher M. McCarthy of the Buffalo City Court Bureau and Chief Patrick B. Shanahan of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.
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