Wildly Drunk Driver Pleads Guilty in Fatal Crash that Killed Pedestrian

A 23-year-old Buffalo woman has admitted responsibility for a deadly crash that occurred last fall resulting in the death of a pedestrian. Niyonna Cunningham entered a guilty plea on Monday to a charge of second-degree vehicular manslaughter stemming from a November 28th, 2024, incident in which authorities say she was intoxicated behind the wheel.

The crash happened around 10pm at the intersection of Boehm Place and Bailey Avenue. Cunningham, who was driving a Ford SUV with an infant passenger, struck 62-year-old Madonna Bishop. Emergency responders transported Bishop to Erie County Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead.

Prosecutors say Cunningham had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

Following her plea, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office stated that she now faces up to seven years in state prison.

Despite a prosecutor’s request to have Cunningham held in custody until her sentencing, the court decided to release her under supervision.

Her sentencing is scheduled for June 30th.

Wildly Drunk Driver Pleads Guilty in Fatal Crash that Killed Pedestrian