An Amherst man has been sentenced to six months in jail (which is really four months with good behavior which 99% of inmates receive) followed by five years of probation for his involvement in a fatal hit-and-run incident earlier this year. Matthew Althoff, 40-years-old, received the sentence on Monday.
The incident occurred on January 15th when Althoff was driving westbound on Losson Road in Cheektowaga around 7:21pm. According to officials, he struck a pedestrian and fled the scene without reporting the incident. The victim, identified as 41-year-old Antwain Hankle, was clearing snow from his vehicle in front of his home when the accident occurred.
Hankle was immediately transported to ECMC by ambulance but succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter. In May, Althoff pleaded guilty to the charges of fatally striking a pedestrian and leaving the scene. He initially faced up to 7 years in prison, yet only received 6 months in jail followed by 5 years probation. Due to inmates only having to serve 2/3's of their sentence, he will only serve four months. Althoff's driver's license has been revoked.
As part of his post-release supervision, he will be required to participate in a DWI Treatment Court Program and install an ignition interlock device in his vehicle (which is irrelevant as his license is revoked).
Defendant Gets 6 Months in Jail After Fatal Hit-and-run of Black Man