Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 19-year-old Gino M. Cesar of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens on an indictment charging him with the following offenses:

• One count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony)
• One count of Criminally Negligent Homicide (Class “E” felony)
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony)
• One count of Reckless Driving (Vehicle & Traffic Law violation)

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 defendant is accused of recklessly causing the death of a 6-month-old child who was a passenger inside of the victim’s vehicle. He is also accused of recklessly causing physical injury to a second passenger of that vehicle who suffered a broken hip as a result of the crash. The driver and a third passenger suffered minor injuries. The defendant and his three passengers suffered minor injuries.

Cesar is scheduled to return on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He was held without bail.  

DA Flynn commends Officers Ashlee Loos and Eric Derby of 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.