A Buffalo woman has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, reckless driving, and several other charges in a crash that killed her passenger as they attempted to flee following an alleged shoplifting. Aleia Easley, 23, was arraigned Friday in Cheektowaga Town Court.
Prosecutors say Easley and another woman, Jacquelyn McClain, 21, of Buffalo, were shoplifting from a Save A Lot store on Rossler Avenue in Cheektowaga around 8 p.m. on April 23. They were confronted by a loss prevention officer, at which time they allegedly ran from the store and jumped into a vehicle.
According to the Erie County District Atttorney's Office, Easley sped out of the parking lot and ran a red light, crashing into another vehicle at the intersection of Rossler Avenue and Dingins Street. McClain was ejected from the vehicle and died from her injuries. Easley suffered serious injuries.
Easley faces charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Petit Larceny, Reckless Driving, and several vehicle and traffic law violations. She has been released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to be back in court on July 19 for a felony hearing.
If convicted, Easley faces up to 15 years in prison.
