Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 34-year-old Carmen Martin of Buffalo was arraigned yesterday evening before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller on an indictment charging her with one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide, two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (Class “E” felonies) and two counts of Assault in the Third Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors).
It is alleged that on Friday, June 17, 2022, at approximately 8:50 p.m., the defendant was driving westbound on South Park Avenue when she hit a bicyclist near the Seneca Buffalo Creek casino. The victim, a 32-year-old woman, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where she was treated for an injury to her head and broken bones.
It is further alleged that after hitting the first bicyclist, the defendant continued to drive her vehicle westbound on South Park Avenue. The defendant allegedly hit two more bicyclists near Columbia Street before crashing her sedan into an unoccupied, parked vehicle.
The second victim, a 27-year-old female, was also taken to ECMC where she was treated for broken bones and a cut to her face. The third victim, 29-year-old Sara Rogers, was transported by ambulance to Buffalo General Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The investigation determined that the defendant, who was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident, has a medical condition. The defendant is accused of offering a false instrument for filing by knowingly submitting two written instruments that contained a false statement or false information with intent to defraud to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
The defendant allegedly submitted an application to the DMV on March 24, 2021. She allegedly submitted a second application to the DMV on March 26, 2021. The defendant is accused of failing to report a known medical condition on both applications.
Martin was released on her own recognizance. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.
If convicted of the highest charge, Martin faces a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison.
DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Paul J. 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.
