Erie County District Attorney

04/26/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/26/2021 09:53

Driver Under the Influence of Marijuana Accused of Causing High-Speed Crash on Bailey Avenue, Killing Another Driver

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 23-year-old Cameryon C. Nelson of Buffalo was virtually arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on an indictment charging him with the following offenses:

  • One count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class 'A-I' felony)
  • One count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class 'C' felony)
  • One count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class 'D' felony)

It is alleged that on July 8, 2020, at approximately 9:40 p.m., the defendant was recklessly driving at a high-rate of speed northbound on Bailey Avenue when he crossed into the southbound lane near East Lovejoy Street. The defendant, who was allegedly racing another vehicle while under the influence of cannabis, is accused of crashing his vehicle head-on into a southbound vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle, 24-year-old Dorian Monique Baines, who was not involved in the alleged racing was killed.

The defendant and the passenger of his vehicle were taken to ECMC for minor injuries.

Nelson was remanded without bail. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.

If convicted on all charges, Nelson faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Paul Glascott of the DA's Vehicular Crimes Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.