Woman Sentenced to 1 Year in County Jail for Manslaughter; Causing Death of 21-year-old Passenger

A Sanborn woman has been sentenced to nearly a year in county jail following a deadly crash earlier this year that claimed one life and left another person seriously injured.

Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman announced that 20-year-old Ninaatikwe A. Hamby was sentenced to 364 days in the Niagara County Jail by County Court Judge John Ottaviano. Hamby previously pleaded guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree in connection with the February 25th, 2024 crash.

According to prosecutors, Hamby admitted to driving at speeds of 100 miles per hour while under the influence of cannabis when she lost control of the vehicle near the intersection of Walmore and Upper Mountain Roads in Sanborn. The collision resulted in the death of one passenger and left another with serious injuries.

“The outcome of Ms. Hamby’s decision to drive while under the influence of cannabis was the death of a family member,” Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman said after the plea hearing. “It just can’t be understated how dangerous it is to drive while under the influence of marijuana. Here the results are the complete devastation of a family.”

The deceased passenger was 21-years-old.

The incident was jointly investigated by the Lewiston Police Department and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Christine Savoia, Chief of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau.

Woman Sentenced to 1 Year in County Jail for Manslaughter; Causing Death of 21-year-old Passenger