3 NJ Family Members Killed By Drunk Driver Near Niagara Falls: PD

SHELDON, NY — Three members of a New Jersey family were killed on their way to Niagara Falls when their SUV was hit by a drunk driver, Wyoming County Sheriff Gregory Rudolph told media outlets.

Nine members of a New Jersey family were traveling in Sheldon, N.Y. early Sunday morning when they were struck by Richard Sawicki, 20, of Lackawanna, Erie County, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle reported. Sheldon is about 30 miles southwest of Buffalo.

Two adult women were pronounced dead at the scene, and a 4-year-old was pronounced dead of their injuries at a nearby hospital an hour later, Buffalo News reported. Four other children, another woman, and an adult man were taken to hospitals for treatment; Rudolph declined to disclose their conditions.

It's not clear where in New Jersey the family was from. Their names and hometowns were not being released, pending the notification of their family.

"Anytime a child is involved — and in this case, we had five — it pulls at you. It's a tragedy," Rudolph told WXXI News.

Sawicki was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving Additional charges are expected against Sawicki, Rudolph said.