(WNY News Now) Erie County, NY District Attorney Michael J. Keane said that a truck driver from Ohio was sentenced to three years in prison for shooting multiple rounds at another vehicle while driving on Interstate 90.
Judge Kenneth Case of Erie County Court sentenced Dylan J. Cottingham, 26, of Sullivan, Ohio, on Monday. Two years of post-release monitoring are part of his sentence.
Around 7:30 a.m. on July 29, 2024, the occurrence took place. In the Town of Newstead, Cottingham was operating a tractor-trailer west on I-90 when he pulled up to an occupied pickup truck, displayed a revolver, and fired several bullets. The driver and two passengers of the victim’s car were unharmed despite the vehicle being struck.
Later, Cottingham was found by New York State Police, who also found a loaded firearm. He was not legally permitted to carry the pistol in New York, despite having a licensed permission in Ohio. The following day, he was arraigned in Newstead Town Court.
On December 13, 2024, Cottingham entered a guilty plea to two felonies: reckless endangerment in the first degree, a Class D felony, and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a Class C severe crime. The entire indictment was satisfied by his plea.
Tina Pilkey, Chief of the Victim/Witness Services Bureau in the District Attorney’s Office, and the New York State Police were praised by DA Keane for their work. Prosecution of the case was handled by Major Crimes Bureau Assistant District Attorney Ryan M. Flaherty.