Tragedy on Transit Road: Reckless Driving Claims Life, Driver Faces Justice
(WNY News Now) – Buffalo – This morning, Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced that 24-year-old Alondra L. Ramirez-Santiago of Cheektowaga pleaded guilty to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Class “B” felony) and Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony). The plea was made before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek.
On the night of February 26, 2024, at approximately 9:00 p.m., a two-vehicle collision occurred on the 6300 block of Transit Road, between Cloverleaf Drive and Rehm Road in Cheektowaga. Ramirez-Santiago, under the influence of alcohol, was driving southbound at high speed without headlights when she crashed into another vehicle.
The impact resulted in the death of 51-year-old Jennifer Hylkema of Lockport, who succumbed to her injuries at ECMC. Hylkema’s son, a passenger in the vehicle, was treated and released from the hospital. Ramirez-Santiago was also injured and treated at ECMC.
Ramirez-Santiago faces a potential 25-year prison sentence, with sentencing scheduled for September 23, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. She remains released on bail, set at $75,000 cash or $100,000 bond, despite prosecutors’ request for her remand.
Acting DA Keane commended the efforts of the Cheektowaga Police Department Accident Investigation Unit and the Lancaster Police Department for their work on the case. The prosecution was led by Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.
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