Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A Hamburg man has been arraigned for his involvement in the alleged killing of a pedestrian and carjacking during a high-speed chase that ended in North Tonawanda on Monday.
At around 8:15 p.m. EST on Monday, 31-year-old Mark Whalen was recklessly operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license when he hit a pedestrian, who was crossing Delaware Street near Benton Street in the City of Tonawanda. The defendant is accused of driving away from the scene without reporting the incident to police.
It is also alleged that the defendant caused a rear-ended collision with a vehicle near the intersection of Delaware Street near Broad Street in the City of Tonawanda. After the crash, the defendant allegedly stole the victim’s vehicle and fled the area.
North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec says bystanders, who witnessed the crash, chased after Whalen.
"A lot of us were saying it was quite noble of some of these bystanders to step up and try and help one another and aid in the apprehension of this individual. It's quite noble of them," stated Tylec in an interview with WBEN.
Whalen is currently charged with one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony), one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Death, one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class “D” felonies), one count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, one count of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors), one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, and one count of Reckless Driving (unclassified misdemeanors under New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law) and several New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
Whalen is scheduled to return to court on Friday at 1:30 p.m. EST for a felony hearing. He was held without bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, Whalen faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Paul J. Glascott of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.
