Driver Arraigned for Falsifying DMV Documents Following Investigation into Vehicle-Pedestrian Fatality

Friday, March 22, 2024

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 26-year-old Mohammed Tanbir of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Phillip Dabney, Jr. on three counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (Class "D" felonies).

It is alleged that on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the defendant was driving a vehicle on Elmwood Avenue when he hit a pedestrian who was crossing the street south of Forest Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 21-year-old Sydney C. Lohr, was taken by ambulance to ECMC. The victim later died from the injuries at the hospital.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the defendant was operating a vehicle with heavily tinted windows. A review by our office determined that the tinted windows did not contribute to the collision that resulted in the death of the victim.

It is alleged that the defendant, with intent to defraud, submitted falsified forms to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, citing a medical exemption that allowed him to legally install the window tints in his vehicle. The defendant allegedly stated a medical condition and falsified a doctor's signature on the forms in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Tanbir is scheduled to return on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was released on his own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.

If convicted of the charge, Tanbirfaces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends Confidential Criminal Investigator Bob Bebak for his work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian P. Dassero of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.