Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Alondra L. Ramirez-Santiago of Cheektowaga was arraigned this morning before Cheektowaga Town Court Justice David Stevens on one count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony), one count of Driving While Intoxicated in the First Degree and one count of Reckless Driving (unclassified misdemeanors under New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law).
It is alleged that on Monday, February 26, 2024, at approximately 9:00 p.m., police responded to a two-vehicle collision on the 6300 block of Transit Road between Cloverleaf Drive and Rehm Road. The defendant was allegedly driving southbound on Transit Road when she caused a crash with another vehicle. The defendant is accused of recklessly driving at a high-rate of speed while under the influence of alcohol.
The driver and the passenger of the other vehicle were taken by ambulance to ECMC. The driver, a 51-year-old female from Lockport, died at the hospital. The defendant was also taken by ambulance to ECMC where she was treated for injuries.
Ramirez-Santiago is scheduled to return on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. She was held without bail.
If convicted of the charge, Ramirez-Santiago faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.
DA Flynn commends the Cheektowaga Police Department Accident Investigation Unit and the Lancaster Police Department for their work in this ongoing investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.