Cheektowaga woman indicted on charge of vehicular manslaughter

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Cheektowaga woman was arraigned on an indictment charging her with vehicular manslaughter after allegedly driving drunk and causing the death of another driver earlier this year, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.

It is alleged that 24-year-old Alondra Ramirez-Santiago was driving southbound on Transit Road on Feb. 26 when she caused a crash with another vehicle. Around 9 p.m., police responded to the crash on the 6300 block of Transit Road between Cloverleaf Drive and Rehm Road.

Ramirez-Santiago is accused of not having her headlights on and driving recklessly while under the influence of alcohol, according to the DA’s Office.

The driver of the other vehicle, 51-year-old Jennifer Hylkema of Lockport, died at the hospital. Her son was in the car with her. He was also brought to ECMC, but was treated and released. Ramirez-Santiago was treated for injuries at ECMC.

She faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. The indictment charged her with second-degree vehicular manslaughter as well as aggravated vehicular homicide.

Ramirez-Santiago is scheduled to return to court on July 24 and remains released on bail previously set at $75,000 cash or $100,000 bond.

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.