Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces the arraignment in Town of Colden court of 18-year-old Mercedes Castillo of Holland on the charge of Criminally Negligent Homicide for her involvement in a drag race that claimed a life. 

On April 12, 2016 at approximately 2:10 p.m., Castillo was driving a vehicle on Center Street in Colden, NY that was travelling at a high rate of speed with another car driven by 19-year-old Kody Schroeder of Holland.  

Schroeder’s vehicle then crashed into the back of a pickup truck that was turning into the driveway at 8137 Center Street.  The collision resulted in the death of a passenger in Schroeder’s car, 28-year-old Chauncey Kloiber of Wales and the serious physical injury of another passenger in Schroeder’s car, 19-year-old Tabitha Trautwein of Holland.  Ms. Trautwein remains at ECMC with a traumatic brain injury.  

Schroeder was charged in July with Vehicular Manslaughter. 

Castillo pleaded not guilty and bail was set at $5,000 cash/$25,000 bond.  If convicted, she faces up to four years in prison. A felony hearing is set for Monday, August 15, 2016 at 6 p.m. in Town of Colden court. 

Acting DA Flaherty commends the investigative work of Sgt. Eric Kaderli, Dep. Simon Biegasiewicz, Dep. Jeffrey Ely and Dep. Christopher Soluri of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. 

As are all defendants accused of a crime, Castillo is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Kelley Omel, Chief of DA Flaherty’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau, is prosecuting the case.