LANCASTER, NY – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 53-year-old Kevin J. Czajka of Lancaster was arraigned yesterday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns on an eight-count indictment charging him with the following offenses:
- Two counts of Aggravated Vehicular Assault (Class “C” felonies)
- Two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “D” felonies)
- Two counts of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree (Class “E” felonies)
- One count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Resulting in Death (Class “D” felony)
- One count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Resulting in Serious Physical Injury (Class “E” felony)
It is alleged that on August 28, 2020, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the defendant was driving a vehicle, while under the influence of alcohol, eastbound on Pleasant View Drive when he hit two teenage boys who were riding their bicycles. It is further alleged that the defendant fled the scene, but was located a short time later by Lancaster Police officers.
Both victims were taken to ECMC. One victim, 18-year-old Maytham Vukelic of East Aurora, died at the hospital. The second victim was hospitalized for several days for a serious injury.
Czajka is scheduled to return on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 9:15 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. Judge Burns continued bail at $50,000 bond, which the defendant previously posted in lower court.
If convicted on all charges, Czajka faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
DA Flynn commends the Lancaster Police Department for their work in the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Paul Glascott of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.