Driver Charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide for Causing High-Speed Crash That Killed Baby in Another Vehicle

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 19-year-old Gino Michael Cesar of Buffalo was arraigned on Wednesday morning before Cheektowaga Town Court Justice James Speyer, Jr. on one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide (Class "E" felony).

It is alleged that on December 13, 2021, at approximately 8:15 p.m., the defendant was driving at a high-rate of speed westbound on Genesee Street when he crossed into a right turn lane and drove through a red light at the intersection of Pine Ridge Road in the Town of Cheektowaga. The defendant's alleged actions caused a collision with another vehicle.

The crash resulted in the death of a 6-month-old child who was a passenger in the victim's vehicle. A second passenger suffered a broken leg. The driver and two other passengers suffered minor injuries.

The defendant and his four passengers also suffered minor injuries.

Cesar is scheduled to return on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was held on $50,000 bail.

DA Flynn commends the Cheektowaga Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Paul J. Glascott and Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the Vehicular Crimes Unit.

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