Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 40-year-old Matthew J. Althoff of Amherst pleaded guilty yesterday morning before Acting Erie County Court Judge Andrew C. LoTempio to one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Resulting in Death (Class “D” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.
On Monday, January 15, 2024, at approximately 7:21 p.m., the defendant was driving a Ford Explorer SUV westbound on Losson Road in the Town of Cheektowaga when he hit a pedestrian. The defendant drove away from the scene without reporting the incident to police.
The victim was clearing snow from his vehicle in front of his home when he was hit by the vehicle. He was found injured in the roadway by an off-duty New York State trooper. The victim, 41-year-old Antwain R. Hankle, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he later died.
Althoff faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. He remains released on previously posted bail set at $10,000 cash, insurance company bond or partially secured surety bond.
Acting DA Keane commends Lieutenant David Vogel and members of the Cheektowaga Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.
