A Newfane man was sentenced to prison on Friday following his conviction in a 2025 fatal car accident.
Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman announced that Thomas H. Summers, Jr., 53 of Newfane, was sentenced to a term of 2 to 6 years in prison for his conviction of second-degree vehicular manslaughter. Summers had previously admitted to driving his truck while impaired by the combined influence of cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone, causing a crash that took the life of his passenger, Rodolfo Espinoza, 48, on Lockport Junction Road in the Town of Lockport on July 16, 2025.
The sentence was imposed by Acting Supreme Court Justice Mario Giacobbe.
The case was investigated by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Vehicular Crimes Bureau Chief Christine Savoia and Assistant District Attorney Nichole Tarbell.