BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo police are investigating a deadly crash that occurred just before 12:15 a.m. at Main Street and Humboldt Parkway.
According to police, a Dodge Magnum was traveling north on Main at an apparent high rate of speed when it collided with a Toyota Corolla that was making a left turn onto Main Street.
The driver of the Dodge has been identified as 23-year-old Devin M. Ford of Buffalo.
Police said the Toyota was a ride-share vehicle and the driver was identified as a 27-year-old Nasir Musazada of Buffalo. The three passengers — 26-year-old Morgan Ehrenbeit and two 31-year-old men — were all from Ohio.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office said Ford is accused of recklessly causing the death of Musazada and Ehrenbeit and causing serious physical injuries to two other passengers.
Musazada and Ehrenbeit were pronounced dead at the hospital. The other passengers, both 31-year-old males from Ohio, remain hospitalized. One is in critical condition and the other is described as stable.
Ford was arraigned in Buffalo City Court on two counts of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of first-degree assault and four New York State vehicle and traffic law violations for speeding, driving without a valid license, driving without insurance and failure to use headlights.
He is scheduled to return on March 27 for a felony hearing and was held without bail. A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the injured victims.
The ready crash has raised some concerns about the safety of the intersection.
WATCH: Community members voice concerns on the safety of Main and Humboldt intersection
"Sometimes it is a bit confusing to navigate it during rush hour like 4 or 5 o'clock," Canisius College senior Brandon Fox explained.
Every day of the work week, Canisius College senior Ethan Lenney said he has noticed the intersection of Humboldt Parkway and Main Street is congested.
It is something the Rochester native shared with 7 News' Pheben Kassahun about making him uneasy when walking in that area because of drivers becoming impatient.
Lenney shared, "It can get hectic here and when I'm driving around here, I was taught never to rush things but I feel like people got to rush things when they're driving and it just makes it all dangerous and people hit each other, evidently. It happens, or you can hear the honking going on because people get so impatient. The light just turned green, like I don't get it."
The same goes for senior Brandon Fox.
"Further down there, where you see multiple lights, there is a lot of confusion going on because there's some places where you can take a right and some places where you can and then there's always congestion where people get caught in the middle in between those small little sections of lights," Fox said.
They both explained how this street in particular has many cars plowing through the red light. They hope drivers take extra caution when passing through.
Lenney said, "I feel like people got to understand driving is nothing to be rushed. It's supposed to be secure for everyone. Everyone has to make the passenger safe. Everybody has a destination, I get it but you need to be willing to into account other peoples' lives and yours as well. You can't just be driving for the hell of it and be like, 'Oh, I need to get there fast. ASAP.' And then completely disregard everybody else's well-being."
As for the charges on the driver of the Dodge Magnum, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said more may come as the investigation continues.
Kassahun also reached out to Lyft, Inc. for a statement. A Lyft spokesperson shared this:
"We are heartbroken by this incident. Our hearts are with the victim's loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and we've reached out to offer our support. We stand ready to assist law enforcement with any investigation."
