Passenger in crash learns sentence

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - There is an unprecedented sentencing for a man who urged his girlfriend to leave the scene of a crash.

It was a historic sentencing. The defendant John Pieri becomes the first person in state history to serve jail time as a passenger convicted of criminal solicitation in a hit-and-run accident.

One of the victims, Amy Stewart, walked into Amherst Town Court Wednesday morning with her family by her side. Back in 2009, Amy and her friend Rachel Baird were struck in Snyder by the hit-and-run driver Andrea Glinski, who is currently serving up to three years behind bars.

Glinski’s passenger Pieri encouraged her to leave the scene after she seriously injured both Amy and Rachel. At first Pieri pleaded guilty to criminal solicitation, because of what he told the drive, and was sentenced to one year in jail. Because of a technicality his sentence was previously overturned.

Wednesday, Pieri was back in court and this time the judge sent him to jail for 30 days, because he took responsibility for his actions.

Hit-and-run victim Amy Stewart, who suffered brain and leg injuries, said, “I just don’t think it’s fair that he’ll be done in 30 days. Yeah, maybe his life will be changed but it won’t be changed like mine has been.”

Amy said, “Yeah, I’m walking now and yeah, I look like a normal person, but it’s only because I’ve worked for it.”

Amy says the other victim, Rachel, is also recovering back in her hometown near Syracuse. Both young women want to be teachers.