Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 37-year-old Kevin J. Mendola of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Cheektowaga Town Court Judge James J. Speyer, Jr. on one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Death (Class “D” felony) and one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide (Class “E” felony).

It is alleged that on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the defendant placed his vehicle into reverse, which hit a child who was standing next to his bicycle on Lovejoy Street near Griffith Park in the Village of Sloan. The defendant is accused of leaving the scene without reporting the incident. He was located nearby a short time later by police.

The 10-year-old boy was taken by ambulance to Oishei Children’s Hospital where he later died from his injuries. The victim’s name is not being released at this time.

Mendola is scheduled to return on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. Justice Speyer set bail at $50,000.

If convicted of all charges, Mendola faces a maximum of 7 years in prison.      

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

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Paul Glascott 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.