TOWN OF PORTVILLE, N.Y. (WKBW) — A 20-year-old Portville man will now face manslaughter charges after killing one and injuring two others in a drunk-driving motor vehicle crash.
The defendant, 20-year-old Skyler Hess, faces one count of driving while intoxicated, one count of vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, and two counts of vehicular assault in the second degree.
The incident occurred around 1:20 a.m. on Route 417 in the town of Portville.
The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office said Hess, who was driving a pickup truck, crashed into a Jeep that was legally parked on the side of the road. The Jeep was propelled and fatally struck a 19-year-old man.
According to police, the truck continued further and crashed into another parked vehicle before hitting two teenage girls, aged 16 and 18.
The 18-year-old was taken to ECMC with life-threatening injuries and is in critical condition. The 16-year-old was taken to Oishei Children's Hospital and was released.
The investigation is ongoing.
A GoFundmepage was started to help with the funeral costs of the 19-year-old victim, Kayden Belleisle.
