New York Garbage Truck Driver Who Reversed Down One-Way Street and Paralyzed Teen Gets Probation, No Jail Time
NEW YORK — A former City of Buffalo garbage truck driver who backed a 60,000-pound sanitation truck down a one-way street, striking a teenage pedestrian and leaving him paralyzed for life, has been sentenced to probation instead of jail time.
Sasiya Davis-Johnson, 48, was sentenced Thursday to three years of probation after pleading guilty to third-degree assault and reckless driving, both misdemeanor charges. She faced a potential sentence of up to 364 days in jail, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
Teen Hit While Walking to School
The incident occurred at approximately 8:16 a.m. on October 2, 2024, near the intersection of Rhode Island Street and 14th Street in Buffalo, a time when students across the city were commuting to school.
Prosecutors said a 17-year-old boy was crossing Rhode Island Street when Davis-Johnson suddenly placed her garbage truck in reverse, traveling the wrong direction on a one-way street.
The truck struck the teen, knocking him to the ground.
“Ran Him Over Again”
According to the victim’s attorney, the impact did not end with the initial strike.
“This is a 60,000-pound truck that ran him over and then went forward, ran him over again,” attorney Charles Desmond said.
The teenager suffered catastrophic injuries, including paralysis from the waist down. Fourteen months later, he remains hospitalized, has undergone more than 30 surgeries, and has had one leg amputated.
Questions Raised About Training and Equipment
During sentencing, Davis-Johnson’s attorney argued for leniency, emphasizing that she had no prior criminal record and expressed remorse.
The victim’s legal team, however, raised serious concerns about systemic failures by the city.
According to Desmond:
- The driver allegedly was not properly trained
- A spotter was inside the truck but did not exit to guide the vehicle
- The truck’s backup camera was broken or disabled at the time
“We know the city did not properly train her,” Desmond said.
“We know the backup camera on the garbage truck was broken.”
Civil Lawsuit Filed
In January, the teenager’s family filed a civil lawsuit against:
- The City of Buffalo
- Sasiya Davis-Johnson
- Another city employee
The lawsuit seeks damages for the lifelong injuries caused by the incident.
Driver No Longer Employed by City
Authorities confirmed that Davis-Johnson no longer works for the Buffalo Department of Public Works.
Prosecutors noted that the misdemeanor plea agreement — which removed the possibility of jail time — was offered with the consent of the victim and his family.
A Life Permanently Changed
The sentencing outcome has drawn attention to the lasting consequences of municipal vehicle safety failures, particularly in school-hour traffic zones.
The teenager’s injuries are permanent, and his recovery will require lifelong medical care, mobility assistance, and rehabilitation.
While the criminal case has concluded, the civil case — and broader questions about public safety and accountability — remain unresolved.
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