Niagara Falls Man Sentenced to Up to 15 Years in Fatal DWI Crash

Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman announced Tuesday that 48-year-old Eric S. Gardner of Niagara Falls has been sentenced to 7½ to 15 years in state prison for causing a fatal drunk driving crash in 2022.

Gardner previously pleaded guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree, admitting that on August 26, 2022 he was operating his vehicle with a blood alcohol content exceeding 0.18% - more than twice the legal limit - when he crashed on Ridge Road in the Town of Hartland. The vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned, killing 46-year-old Stacy Donnelly of Gasport, who was riding in the front passenger seat.

“Today brings the legal ordeal of almost three years to an end for Stacy’s family,” said DA Seaman.

“The defendant will pay a price for his actions, although no sentence will ever repay Stacy’s family for what they have lost.”

County Court Judge John Ottaviano handed down the sentence. The case was investigated by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Seaman and Vehicular Crimes Bureau Chief Christine Savoia.

Niagara Falls Man Sentenced to Up to 15 Years in Fatal DWI Crash