The Erie County District Attorney’s Office announces that 31-year-old Shane Heisler of Hamburg has pleaded guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree and Vehicular Assault in the First Degree before State Supreme Court Justice Penny M. Wolfgang.

On July 16, 2016 at 1 p.m., Heisler was driving his vehicle on Union Road in the Town of West Seneca when he veered into the oncoming lanes of traffic and struck a vehicle being driven by 65-year-old Ronald Heiss. 

Riding in Heiss' vehicle were his wife Diane Heiss and 71 year-old Barbara Guenther of West Seneca, a rear seat passenger. Guenther died as a result of injuries from the accident.

The occupants of the Heiss car were on their way to a wedding when the crash happened.

Heisler has been remanded to jail without bail. He faces a maximum of 5-15 years in prison when he is sentenced by Justice Wolfgang on December 13, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.

The Erie County DA’s Office commends the Town of West Seneca Police Department for its investigative work.

Assistant District Attorney Robin J. Deubler is prosecuting the case.