Niagara Falls man admits to vehicular manslaughter
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Niagara Falls man pleaded guilty to first-degree vehicular manslaughter Monday after a 2022 incident that left a Gasport woman dead, according to the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office.
Eric Gardner, 48, drove with a BAC of over .18 of 1% with Stacy Donnelly, 46 and of Gasport, in the vehicle when the car left the roadway and struck a tree. The vehicle rolled over and Donnelly died as a result. The manslaughter occurred on Aug. 26. on Ridge Road in the town of Hartland.
“His blood alcohol was three times the legal limit and he also had cocaine in his system,” said Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman. “The sad and completely avoidable result is that Stacy’s family, her children and grandchildren, will live the rest of their lives without her.”
Gardner will be sentenced to 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison on May 20 as a part of his plea. He previously faced a maximum of 25 years in prison, as well as additional DWI-related charges.
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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.
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