Intoxicated Driver Sentenced for Killing Dog Walker in South Buffalo

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Renaiyah A. Cornelious, 32, of Buffalo, was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek. Cornelious received a split sentence of six months in jail followed by five years of probation. As a condition of the sentence, her New York State driver's license was revoked.

On the evening of Saturday, December 27, 2025, the defendant, while under the influence of alcohol and cannabis, with two children inside the vehicle when she hit a pedestrian at the intersection of McKinley Avenue and Lorraine Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim was walking a dog through the crosswalk at the time of the incident. The victim, 81-year-old Daniel H. Zuchlewski, was pronounced dead at the scene. The dog was also killed in the crash.

In May 2026, Cornelious pleaded guilty to one count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class D felony) and one count of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (Class E felony under New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law).She entered a guilty plea to the two highest counts in full satisfaction of the indictment.

DA Keane commends Lieutenant Patrick McDonald, Officer Creana Jenkins, Officer Nikko Casillas and the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.

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.