Drunk driver sentenced in skateboarder's death

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A Tonawanda man will spend the next 4 to 12 years for causing the death of a skateboarder in 2024.

30 year old Brian Borth's New York State driver’s license was also revoked after pleading guilty to striking 21 year old Allen Angel Ruiz, who was on his skateboard, on Niagara Street in Buffalo on May 8, 2024. Ruiz, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Prosecutors say Borth left the scene without reporting the incident to police. After the initial impact, he lost control of the vehicle, hit a parked vehicle in the northbound lane and crashed into a home. After colliding with the house, Borth got out of his vehicle and ran away from the scene. A short time later, responding police officers found at West Avenue and Albany Street. He was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was treated for minor injuries.

The investigation determined that Borth was operating the vehicle while under the combined influence of alcohol and a drug. Borth was also driving at a high rate of speed prior to the crash. The evidence showed that the vehicle was traveling at 111 mph seconds before hitting the skateboarder.

In May 2026, Borth pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class C felony), two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class D felonies) and one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident without Reporting Resulting in Death (Class D felony under New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law). The defendant, who was not offered a reduced plea, entered a guilty plea to all counts in the indictment.