An Angola man has been handed an indeterminate sentence of 3 to 9 years for his role in a fatal crash that took the life of a Hamburg woman earlier this year. Anthony Rydzewski, 41, was found guilty of causing a crash in Hamburg that resulted in the death of 37-year-old Jenny Zuhlke, a dedicated daycare center worker at Lakeview Children's World.
The incident occurred on February 28th around 11:30am when Rydzewski was driving recklessly at a high speed on Route 5 in Hamburg. His vehicle collided with the one driven by Zuhlke who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the crash, Rydzewski was taken to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) to receive treatment for his injuries. Initially, he had indicated his willingness to cooperate with the investigation. However, he later fled to Pennsylvania, according to the police. In April, he was located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and subsequently returned to Western New York by the Hamburg police.
In July, Rydzewski pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter without the possibility of a reduced plea.
Zuhlke, a beloved member of the Lakeview Children's World daycare center, had dedicated a decade of her life to caring for the infants there. The tragic accident occurred as she was on her way to work, less than a mile away from the daycare center. She will be remembered her vibrant personality and would often sing and dance around the daycare bringing joy to both the children and her colleagues.
Man Sentenced for Crash That Claimed Life of 'Beloved' Member of Community