Driver Sentenced for Fatal Buffalo Hit-and-Run
A judge sentenced Wendell M. Brooks to five to 15 years in prison for the 2025 death of a pedestrian.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Accidents
Wendell M. Brooks has been sentenced to five to 15 years in prison following a fatal hit-and-run collision in Buffalo. The 45-year-old driver pleaded guilty to charges including second-degree manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes a legal process stemming from a deadly incident that claimed the life of 37-year-old Paache Spikes-Redding. The case highlights the severe legal consequences for drivers who flee the scene of a crash and attempt to conceal evidence.
Wendell M. Brooks received a sentence of five to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter and tampering with evidence. The court has also permanently revoked his driver license.
The players
Wendell M. Brooks
He is a 45-year-old individual who was sentenced to prison for a fatal hit-and-run incident in Buffalo.
Paache Spikes-Redding
She was a 37-year-old pedestrian who was killed in a hit-and-run collision in Buffalo.
The details
On July 17, 2025, Brooks struck 37-year-old Paache Spikes-Redding at the intersection of William Street and Benzinger Street at approximately 10 p.m. Following the collision, he abandoned his vehicle in Sloan and intentionally disconnected a flash drive containing recording data to obstruct the investigation.
Timeline
The fatal incident occurred at 10 p.m. on July 17, 2025.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges in July 2026.
The court handed down the sentence on September 23, 2026.
Legal Context
This case reflects broader judicial trends in New York regarding the prosecution of hit-and-run fatalities and evidence tampering. The outcome underscores the state's stringent approach to individuals who attempt to obstruct investigations after fatal motor vehicle incidents.
The resolution of this case provides closure for the local community and reinforces safety standards for pedestrians at high-traffic intersections. Residents are reminded of the strict criminal penalties associated with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle incident in the city.
The takeaway
Drivers involved in accidents are legally obligated to remain at the scene and report the incident to authorities immediately. Attempting to hide evidence, such as disconnecting data recorders, carries heavy additional criminal penalties beyond the underlying collision charges.
Further reading
For more information on regional safety and legal developments, visit the Accidents section.
