Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 35-year-old Carmen Martin of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide (Class “E” felony) and two counts of Assault in the Third Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest count in full satisfaction of the indictment.
On Friday, June 17, 2022, at approximately 8:50 p.m., the defendant was driving westbound on South Park Avenue when she hit a bicyclist near the Seneca Buffalo Creek casino. The victim, a 32-year-old woman, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where she was treated for an injury to her head and broken bones.
After hitting the first bicyclist, the defendant continued to drive her vehicle westbound on South Park Avenue. The defendant hit two more bicyclists near Columbia Street before crashing her sedan into an unoccupied, parked vehicle. The second victim, a 27-year-old female, was also taken by ambulance to ECMC where she was treated for broken bones and a cut to her face. The third victim, 29-year-old Sara Rogers, was transported by ambulance to Buffalo General Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The investigation determined that the defendant, who was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident, has a medical condition.
Martin faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when she is sentenced on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. She remains released on her own recognizance.
Acting DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Paul J. Glascott of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.