A Buffalo Teen Has Been Charged For Deadly Crash That Killed Baby

A Buffalo teenager has been charged in connection to a high-speed car crash that killed a baby. Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced that the 19-year-old man was charged on the morning of Wednesday, January 26, 2022, before Cheektowaga Town Court Justice James Speyer, Jr. Gino Michael Cesar is facing one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide, which is a felony.

On December 13, 2021, at approximately 8:15 pm, Cesar was driving extremely fast headed west on Genesee Street. He allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Pine Ridge Road in Cheektowaga and hit another vehicle at a high speed. The accident caused the death of a 6-month-old baby who was in the other vehicle. Another passenger in the car suffered a broken leg. Three other victims, including the driver, received minor injuries. Cesar and the four passengers in his vehicle suffered minor injuries.

He is due back in court on Monday, January 31, 2022, at 9:30 am, when a felony hearing will take place. He is being held on $50,000 bail.

This Is How Much Money A DWI Will Really Cost You In New York

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Before you decide to drive under the influence in New York, you should know the real cost of your decision. Not only will you have to pay up in dollars, but you'll also pay with time, a hit to your license, and possibly injury or death.

The penalties of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are pretty harsh in New York, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. There are several types of violations when it comes to driving while intoxicated,

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
.08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) or higher or other evidence of intoxication. For drivers of commercial motor vehicles: .04 BAC or other evidence of intoxication.

Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (Aggravated DWI)
.18 BAC or higher

Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol (DWAI/Alcohol)
More than .05 BAC but less than .07 BAC, or other evidence of impairment.

Driving While Ability Impaired by a Single Drug other than Alcohol (DWAI/Drug)

Driving While Ability Impaired by a Combined Influence of Drugs or Alcohol (DWAI/Combination)

Chemical Test Refusal
A driver who refuses to take a chemical test (normally a test of breath, blood or urine).

Zero Tolerance Law
A driver who is less than 21 years of age and who drives with a .02 BAC to .07 BAC violates the Zero Tolerance Law.

Driving under the influence could cost you up to $10,000 in fines, not to mention lawyer fees. You could also spend up to 7 years in prison (excluding any vehicular manslaughter charges).

According to Attorney Steven Bilkis, when it comes to vehicular manslaughter while under the influence,

The New York criminal code defines three different types of criminal offenses related to killing someone as a result of driving while intoxicated: vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the first degree and aggravated vehicular homicide.

Depending on the degree of vehicular manslaughter you are charged with, you could spend up to 15 years in prison and have your license suspended and revoked. Keep in mind, there are also other penalties and fees they can throw at you.

Long story short, it's not worth it to drive while impaired. At best, you'll have to pay up and may lose your right to drive. At worst, you could kill or injure someone and go to prison. With plenty of access to ride-sharing and cabs, there is no reason to drive impaired.