(WNY News Now) – A Buffalo man is facing a felony charge after allegedly causing a high-speed crash that seriously injured an 18-year-old motorist in the Town of Lancaster.
Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced that 43-year-old Luke A. Darling of Buffalo has been indicted on one count of Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a Class “C” felony, in connection with a serious collision that occurred earlier this year.
According to prosecutors, the crash happened on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Columbia Avenue in the Town of Lancaster. Darling is accused of driving at a high rate of speed while under the influence of alcohol when he allegedly collided with another vehicle.
The victim, an 18-year-old male, sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), where he remains hospitalized.
Darling was arraigned on the indictment Wednesday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Betty Calvo-Torres. He is currently being held without bail and is scheduled to return for a pre-trial conference before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
If convicted, Darling faces up to 15 years in state prison.
DA Keane credited Detective Shaun DiMino of the Town of Lancaster Police Department for his role in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Chief Patrick B. Shanahan and Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Leave a Reply