Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 19-year-old Kody Schroeder of Holland has been arraigned in Colden Town Court on charges of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree. 

On April 12, 2016 at approximately 2:10 p.m., Schroeder was driving his 2004 Honda Civic at an extremely high rate of speed on Center Street in Colden, NY when he 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 28-year-old Chauncey Kloiber of Wales and the serious physical injury of 19-year-old Tabitha Trautwein of Holland.  Ms. Trautwein remains at ECMC with traumatic brain injury.  An analysis of the defendant's blood revealed an impairing amount of marihuana. 

The defendant pleaded not guilty and bail was set at $50,000. 

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, Schroeder is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

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