LOCKPORT — The manslaughter case against a Lockport man will be handled by a special prosecutor from Erie County.
Assistant Erie County District Attorney Patrick B. Shanahan, the chief of his office’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau, will take over the prosecution of Nicholas J. DiCarlo after Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman recused his office because of a conflict. The Erie County DA’s Office says Shanahan and the prosecutors he supervises are responsible for the investigation and prosecution of all crimes involving the use of a motor vehicle.
DiCarlo, 27, of Lockport, has been indicted by a Niagara County grand jury on a single charge of first-degree manslaughter. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge and is currently free on bail after being taken into custody by Lewiston police on Sept. 26.
The charge against DiCarlo stems from a fatal car and motorcycle crash at around 9 p.m. July 17 in the 2200 block of Saunders Settlement Road, near Niagara Wheatfield High School. The crash took the life of the motorcycle rider, Hunter S. Weber, 26, of Lockport.
Lewiston police said emergency crews responded to the crash site and found Weber in the roadway and unresponsive. Police said firefighters from the Sanborn Fire Department and paramedics from Tri Community Ambulance immediately began administering life-saving measures, but Weber was pronounced dead at the scene.
DiCarlo was evaluated by paramedics at the scene, but was determined to be uninjured.
Accident investigators said evidence from the scene indicated that Weber was riding east on Saunders Settlement Road, while DiCarlo’s vehicle was traveling westbound. Police said DiCarlo’s vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane and struck the motorcycle.
Investigators have indicated that the speed of DiCarlo’s vehicle may have played a role in the crash. Police said DiCarlo was initially cooperative with their investigation.
The case is scheduled for further proceedings in Niagara County Court.