Buffalo garbage truck driver admits to assault after hitting, seriously injuring teen

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A garbage truck worker with the City of Buffalo pleaded guilty Wednesday after a teenager was hit and seriously injured last October, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

A 17-year-old male was allegedly hit by a garbage truck on the morning of Oct. 2. He remains hospitalized in a long-term care facility and had to have his leg amputated, among multiple other procedures.

Around 8:15 a.m. Oct. 2, The boy was crossing Rhode Island Street in the area of 14th Street in Buffalo when Sasiya Davis-Johnson put her garbage truck in reverse and hit him, officials said. The incident occurred on a one-way street and Davis-Johson was allegedly traveling in the wrong direction.

The 17-year-old was taken to ECMC and remains hospitalized. On Wednesday, Davis-Johnson, 47, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and reckless driving, a reduced plea with the victim’s consent.

She is expected back in court Dec. 18 and remains released under supervision. If convicted, Davis-Johnson faces a maximum of 364 days in jail. She originally faced a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.