Cheektowaga Man Arraigned on Manslaughter Charge for Killing Another Driver in West Seneca Collision

Friday, September 6, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 48-year-old Alan P. Bulera of Cheektowaga was arraigned yesterday evening before West Seneca Town Court Justice Jon Minear on one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class "B" violent felony).

It is alleged that on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the defendant was driving his vehicle, a Toyota RAV4, at a high-rate of speed eastbound on Clinton Street when he caused a rear-end collision with a minivan at the intersection of Borden Road in the Town of West Seneca. The defendant and other driver were taken by ambulance to ECMC. The driver of the minivan, 76-year-old Irene Mair of West Seneca, was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Bulera is scheduled to return on Friday, October 4, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. Prosecutors requested that the defendant be remanded. Judge Minear set bail at $350,000 cash or bond with conditions that the defendant be monitored with an electronic device, abstain from illegal drugs and alcohol, and not drive a motor vehicle. His New York State driver's license was temporarily suspended.

If convicted of the charge, Bulera faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Acting DA Keane commends Officer Matthew Greenan and members of the West Seneca Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bethany A. Solek 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.