Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - A 24-year-old Cheektowaga woman is facing multiple charges, including Vehicular Manslaughter after a fatal crash in the Town of Cheektowaga on Monday night.
At around 9 p.m. EST, Cheektowaga Police and Fire Dispatch received calls of a crash on Transit Road between Cloverleaf Drive and Rehm Road. Officers from both the Cheektowaga and Lancaster Police Departments responded to the accident.
An investigation revealed that a vehicle was struck in the driver's side as it was entering into traffic from a parking lot located on Transit Road by another vehicle that was traveling on Transit Road.
The driver of the car said to be driving Southbound on Transit Road, identified as Alondra Ramirez-Santiago, is accused of recklessly driving at a high-rate of speed while under the influence of alcohol.
The vehicle that was struck was driven by 51-year-old Jennifer Hylkema of Lockport, who was critically injured and taken to Erie County Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The Cheektowaga Police Accident Investigation Unit immediately began to evaluate the accident. Ramirez-Santiago was arrested and charged with:
- One count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class "D" felony);
- One count of Driving While Intoxicated in the First Degree;
- One count of Reckless Driving (unclassified misdemeanors under New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law).
Ramirez-Santiago was remanded to the Erie County Holding Center following arraignment in Cheektowaga Town Court. She is scheduled to return on Friday, March 1 at 9:30 a.m. EST for a felony hearing.
If convicted of the charge, Ramirez-Santiago faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
