WYOMING COUNTY, NY — A Chautauqua County man has admitted to driving while impaired the day that he caused a fatal accident on Route 20A in the Town of Orangeville in July, according to Wyoming County District Attorney Donald O’Geen.
Joshua D. Huntress, 29 of Mayville, waived indictment and pleaded guilty on Thursday to aggravated vehicular homicide in the death of Tomasa Martinez, age 66, of North Tonawanda. Martinez was a passenger on one of the motorcycles that he struck when Huntress, who was traveling westbound on 20A, crossed into the eastbound lane and struck the motorcycles. Two people were riding on each motorcycle.
Martinez was taken Wyoming County Community Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
District Attorney Donald O’Geen said that Huntress ingested various controlled substances and then attempted to drive from a motel in Warsaw to Chautauqua County.
He faces 5 to 15 years on the aggravated vehicular homicide charge. However, Huntress has a prior felony conviction in Pennsylvania. The judge must determine prior to sentencing if his prior felony conviction will cause him to be treated as a second felony offender. In that case, the sentence would be raised from 7 1/2 to 15 years in state prison.
The three others on the motorcycles were taken to Erie County Medical Center to be treated for injuries.
Huntress pled guilty to three counts of second-degree assault in connection with the three victims.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 18, 2018 at 2 p.m.
