Amherst, NY (December 20, 2025) – A 70-year-old woman lost her life in a tragic hit-and-run collision on Kensington Avenue on Saturday evening. Amherst Police responded to the scene in front of 1970 Kensington Avenue at approximately 6:00 p.m. after receiving reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, emergency responders found the victim in the roadway, where she was pronounced deceased.
According to investigators, the driver of a 2022 Jeep Compass struck the woman and immediately fled the scene before law enforcement could arrive. Following a swift multi-agency investigation, Cheektowaga Police located the 57-year-old female driver at her residence. She was taken into custody and now faces several severe charges, including second-degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident, and driving while intoxicated (DWI). Amherst Police are continuing to process evidence and have requested that anyone with additional information or video of the incident contact their department at 716-689-1311.
Liability and Wrongful Death Implications in New York DWI Hit-and-Run Cases
This incident on Kensington Avenue involves some of the most serious legal violations under New York State law, combining criminal impairment with the act of fleeing a fatal scene. In New York, leaving the scene of an accident that results in death is a Class D felony, reflecting the state’s strict stance on driver accountability. Furthermore, the charge of second-degree vehicular manslaughter indicates that the driver’s alleged intoxication was a direct cause of the victim’s death. From a civil perspective, these criminal factors significantly impact the pursuit of a wrongful death claim. While New York is a “no-fault” state for initial medical costs, a fatality is a statutory “serious injury” that allows the estate of the deceased to pursue a lawsuit for non-economic damages, including the loss of parental guidance, companionship, and the conscious pain and suffering the victim may have endured before passing.
How Can We Help
At Stanley Law, we help victims of vehicle accidents work through the difficulties of insurance matters and personal injury lawsuits. If you are a family member of the victim killed in this Amherst hit-and-run, our New York pedestrian accident lawyer is here to provide legal guidance. Call us at 888-997-3889 for a free consultation today and let us fight for your rights.
