Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 22-year-old Mkaipa M. Muya of Buffalo was sentenced this afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Susan Maxwell Barnes to an indeterminate term of incarceration between 4 to 12 years in prison.

On Monday, February 22, 2021, at approximately 4:00 a.m., the defendant, while under the influence of alcohol, was driving a sedan at a high-rate of speed when he caused a crash on Walden Avenue near Hoerner Avenue in the Town of Cheektowaga. The force of the collision caused his car to crash into a building after the vehicle hit a utility pole.

A 30-year-old male, who was sitting the front passenger seat, was taken to ECMC with minor injuries. The rear seat passenger was ejected from the vehicle upon impact. The victim, a 17-year-old female, died at ECMC from her injuries. The defendant did not suffer any injuries.

Muya pleaded guilty to one count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Class “B” felony), the highest count in the indictment, on June 29, 2022.

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

The case was prosecuted by Chief Paul C. Glascott of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.