Clifton Reynolds' attorney says his client has no recollection of the crash that caused about $20,000 in damage to the restaurant.
Clifton Reynolds of Clay, right, was sentenced this morning to 1-to-3 years in state prison for crashing into the entrance of Pier 57 restaurant May 19. The following day he drove head-on into a car. He appeared in court with his attorney, Michael Vavonese. Syracuse, NY -- An Onondaga County judge this morning sentenced Clifton Reynolds to one to three years in prison on charges resulting from a spectacular crash that demolished the entrance to the Pier 57 restaurant in Clay.
The Pier 57 crash on May 19, was the first of two crashes in 31 hours involving Reynolds. The second on River Road in Lysander critically injured a 23-year-old man.
Reynolds, 35, of 8406 Gaskin Road, Clay, had earlier admitted he was driving while his ability was impaired by drugs when he drove into the restaurant on Route 57 in Clay.
He also faces sentencing Wednesday night in Lysander on reckless driving charges for the second crash. He is expected to receive a 1- year sentence, which will run at the same time as his sentence for other charges.
Reynolds, dressed in a beige prison jump suit, hung his head and said nothing as his lawyer Michael Vavonese told Judge William Walsh that his client doesn’t remember the May 19 accident that caused about $19,900 in damage to the restaurant.
“He doesn’t remember the accident at all. He’s been doing drugs for a long time,” Vavonese said. A presentencing report says that his client suffers from depression, he said.
“He stands before the court, your honor, completely remorseful,” Reynolds’ lawyer said.
Vavonese asked the court to direct the state prison authorities to allow Reynolds to get the drug treatment he needs.
Reynolds will also pay about $10,000 in restitution to the restaurant to cover the amount of the damages not covered by insurance. The exact amount is still to be determined.
On May 20, Reynolds was driving another vehicle on River Road in Lysander when he crossed the middle of the road and struck an on-coming vehicle head on. The driver of that car, Richard Zimmerman, 23, of Cramer Road, Lysander was critically injured. He needed surgery to a broken and crushed arm and leg, and blood transfusions while in a coma.
“He’s doing much better,” Assistant District Attorney Christopher Bednarski said of Zimmerman.