Prison Time For Driver Who Caused Deadly Crash Downtown Buffalo

A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to serve time in prison for causing a deadly accident in the center of downtown Buffalo. Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced that the man was sentenced before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi on the morning of Thursday, April 21, 2022. Paul Tolbert, III of Buffalo will spend between 7 ½ to 15 years behind bars.

The fatal car accident took place on Thursday, November 26, 2020, at approximately 7:30 am. Tolbert was driving at a high-rate of speed headed south on Delaware Avenue. He crashed his minivan into the McKinley Monument in Niagara Square in front of Buffalo's City Hall. The passenger in the van, 34-year-old Angel Marie Cobb of Buffalo, died in the crash.

Getty Images

Tolbert was transported to Erie County Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries. While investigating the crash, authorities found a small bag of white powder in his clothing, which upon testing was determined to be fentanyl. He was under the influence of cocaine and fentanyl at the time of the accident.

Tolbert was found guilty of the following charges:

- One Count Of Manslaughter in the Second Degree,
- One count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree

The sentence was handed down to Tolbert following a three-day bench trial, which concluded on March 10, 2022.

Credit: WGRZ

Get our free mobile app

Here's The Penalty For Getting Caught Driving While High In New York State

Before you decide to consume cannabis and then illegally drive under the influence in New York, you should know the real cost of your decision. Not only will you have to pay up in dollars, but you'll also pay with time, a hit to your license, and possibly injury or death.

The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are pretty harsh in New York according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.