WHITE PLAINS – A former New York City fireman, who lives in Buchanan, was sentenced in Westchester County Court on Tuesday to five years of probation for leaving the scene of an accident that involved a fatality.
Eric Werner was driving at more than 50 miles an hour on Route 9 in Peekskill heading southbound into Buchanan shortly after midnight on December 29, 2018, when he struck and killed 63-year-old pedestrian Joseph Orichello.
Werner failed to stop as required by law and hid his vehicle inside a landscaping trailer owned by his business, Friendly Lawn Care in Peekskill.
Following an investigation by Westchester County Police, he was arrested on December 30 and pled guilty.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of a county resident due to this defendant’s driving and his subsequent attempt to avoid taking responsibility,” said District Attorney Miriam Rocah. “Everyone of us has an obligation to drive safely at all times, and to remain at the scene if we are involved in an accident.”
