Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Joshua L. Wright, 27, of Lackawanna, was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on an indictment charging him with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Class B felony), one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class C felony), and one count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class D violent felony).
It is alleged that on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at approximately 11:35 p.m., the defendant was driving in the wrong direction on the inbound Route 5 Skyway in the City of Buffalo when he caused a head-on collision with another vehicle. The defendant is accused of recklessly driving while intoxicated. The defendant’s passenger, 28-year-old Shabrina Grant of Buffalo, was pronounced dead at the scene. The defendant and the driver of the other vehicle, a 46-year-old woman, were taken by ambulance to ECMC. The injured victim was treated for various physical injuries, including an injury to her hand, laceration to her knee and surgery on her right foot.
Our prosecutor requested that the defendant be remanded. Bail was set at $250,000 cash or bond. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.
If convicted of the highest charge, Wright faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
DA Keane commends Officer Andrea James and members of the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this 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.