Blasdell neighborhood honors memory of 8-year-old killed by suspected drunk driver

BLASDELL, N.Y. (WIVB) – The Western New York community is surrounding a local family whose 8-year-old son was killed by a suspected drunk driver Saturday night in Hamburg.

Homes in Blasdell and WNY are lit in orange, Thomas Ross' favorite color, to show support for his family.

“My heart goes out to them,” said Blasdell resident Dianna Arnst. “It will be something they will never forget and neither will anyone else. It's a very close community, a square mile of paradise, and it affects everyone.

Arnst is one of many residents who decorate her home orange to show support for the family.

“This is how neighborhoods used to be, and this is how they should still be,” she said. “When something like this, a tragic thing happens, people should come and see what they can do to help. Just give them your heart.

“Whether it's showing support with the lights, I know a GoFundMe has been started and a lot of money has been raised to help them,” said Anthony Zofuto, whose house is lit orange . “It kind of helps them get through this loss on a larger scale rather than being alone through all of this.”

Hamburg City Police said his mother was driving on Route 5 when Markus Genovese, 52, slammed into the back of her vehicle. Police say Genovese was drunk and high on drugs at the time of the crash.

Genovese reportedly fled the scene, attempting to hide in a nearby yard. He was apprehended by Hamburg City Police and taken to ECMC where he was placed under arrest on the following charges:

• DWI, DWI by the combination of alcohol and drugs
• first degree vehicular manslaughter
• second degree vehicular manslaughter
• aggravated felony unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle
• leaving the scene of a fatal car accident
• third degree assault
• many other traffic and traffic violations

“I mean, it’s horrible. It's about a little 8-year-old boy who was exactly where he was supposed to be, coming back from the beach with his mom and his brother, and he left. I mean, it’s devastating for this family,” said Erie County Prosecutor Michael Keane.

Genovese was held without bail and is scheduled to appear in Hamburg Municipal Court on June 13. If convicted of the highest charge against him, Genovese could spend up to 15 years in prison.

“This family is going to have to deal with this for the rest of their lives and at least we should be able to get them justice in the criminal prosecution of the man who caused this accident and this horrible loss,” Keane said.