Angola Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter for Recklessly Causing Fatal Crash in Hamburg

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 41-year-old Anthony Rydzewski of Angola pleaded guilty this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class "C" felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the defendant was recklessly driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Route 5 in the Town of Hamburg when he caused a collision with another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle, 37-year-old Jenny E. Zuhlke of Hamburg, died at the scene. The defendant was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was treated for injuries.

The defendant was located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania by the US Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force where he was taken into custody on an arrest warrant. He waived extradition proceedings and was returned to Western New York by members of the Hamburg Police Department to face prosecution in April 2024.

Rydzewski faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.

Acting DA Keane commends the Town of Hamburg Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bethany A. Solek of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.