Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 23-year-old Devin M. Ford of Buffalo was arraigned this afternoon before Buffalo City Court Judge Phillip Dabney, Jr. on two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony), two counts of Assault in the First Degree (Class “B” felonies) and four New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations for speeding, driving without a valid license, driving without insurance and failure to use headlights.
It is alleged that on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at approximately 12:15 a.m., the defendant was driving a vehicle at a high-rate of speed northbound on Main Street in the City of Buffalo when he caused a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Humboldt Parkway. The defendant and the four occupants of the other vehicle were taken by ambulance to ECMC.
The defendant is accused of recklessly causing the death of the driver and a passenger of the other vehicle. The driver, a 27-year-old male from Buffalo, and his rear passenger, a 26-year-old female from Ohio, were pronounced deceased at the hospital. The defendant is also accused of causing serious physical injuries to the front seat passenger and another rear seat passenger inside of the other vehicle. The surviving victims, both 31-year-old males from Ohio, remain hospitalized.
Ford is scheduled to return on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was held without bail. A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the injured victims.
If convicted of the highest charge, Ford faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Paul J. Glascott of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Carolina A. Lew of the Buffalo City Court Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.