A former garbage truck driver from Buffalo, New York, has been sentenced following an incident where she “recklessly” reversed her vehicle, resulting in severe injuries to a teenage boy.

Sasiya Davis-Johnson, aged 48, received a sentence of three years’ probation on Thursday after admitting guilt in October to charges of third-degree assault and reckless driving, both categorized as misdemeanors. Initially, she faced the possibility of up to 364 days in jail, as highlighted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

The event took place on October 2, 2024, when Davis-Johnson was operating a garbage truck for the Buffalo Department of Public Works. The incident occurred around 8:16 a.m. near the junction of Rhode Island Street and 14th Street, coinciding with a time when children throughout the city were either attending or on their way to school.

Among those children was a 17-year-old boy who was crossing Rhode Island Street. As per the DA’s office, Davis-Johnson drove the garbage truck “recklessly” by reversing in the wrong direction on a one-way street.

The vehicle struck the young pedestrian, and authorities stated that Davis-Johnson “recklessly caused physical injuries” to him. Over a year later, the teen remains hospitalized, suffering from paralysis below the waist, has had a leg amputated, and has endured more than 30 surgeries, according to his attorney, Charles Desmond, as reported by local ABC affiliate WKBW.

“This is a 60,000-pound truck that ran him over and then went forward, ran him over again,” Desmond told reporters, per WKBW.

In January, the teenager’s family sued the City of Buffalo, Davis-Johnson, and another city worker over the incident, the outlet added.

During the sentencing hearing, Davis-Johnson’s attorney pleaded for leniency, arguing she had “never been in trouble before this happened” and was remorseful.

Desmond said her reckless actions may have been compounded by inadequate training and faulty equipment.

“We know that the city did not properly train her. We know there was a spotter in the garbage truck that could have been out guiding, looking behind the truck. He did not get out of the truck. She did not order him out of the truck. We also know that the backup camera on the garbage truck was broken and disabled,” he said.

Davis-Johnson is no longer employed by the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, the DA’s office said. Authorities also noted that she was offered the “reduced plea” of the misdemeanor charges, with the “consent of the victim.”