Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 39-year-old Mario V. Garcia of Springville was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on an indictment charging him with one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony).
It is alleged that on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at approximately 3:20 p.m., the defendant, while driving a pickup truck southbound on Vaughn Street (Route 240) in the Town of East Concord, was involved in suspected road rage-incident with another driver. The victim, who was also driving a pickup truck, allegedly pulled off onto the side of the road on Route 240 south of Davis Hill Road. The defendant allegedly pulled off to the side of the road behind the victim’s vehicle.
The victim allegedly exited his vehicle and walked toward the front of the defendant’s vehicle. The defendant is accused of hitting the victim with his vehicle with the intent to cause serious physical injuries resulting in death. The victim, 64-year-old Andrew J. Mikula of Lancaster, died at the scene. The defendant allegedly drove to his home after the incident where he called 911.
Prosecutors requested that the defendant be remanded. Garcia was held on bail set at $150,000 cash or bond. A return court date has not been scheduled to at this time.
If convicted of the charge, Garcia faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
DA Flynn commends Sgt. Amy Parisi, Deputy Timothy Christian, Deputy Simon Biegasiewicz, and Deputy Trevor Williams of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Crash Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Paul J. Glascott of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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