A Buffalo man was charged with second-degree manslaughter after he allegedly caused the death of a female passenger on the motorcycle he was driving just before noon Friday, City Police say.
At approximately 11:57 a.m., the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of a motorcycle accident at the roundabout on Oak Street Extension. Batavia Police arrived and located a female on the ground in the roundabout and the operator of the motorcycle fleeing the scene.
Mercy EMS and the Batavia City Fire Department were dispatched and arrived to render aid to the female. The operator was stopped by Batavia Police and returned to the scene. While medics were attempting to render aid to the female, the operator of the motorcycle allegedly attempted to interfere with EMS personnel.
The operator, identified as Christopher Scinta, 27, of Buffalo, was then taken into custody. Scinta was transported to Batavia Police Headquarters, where he allegedly attempted to flee again by damaging and jumping out of a window. Scinta was quickly apprehended.
The female, Jasmyne Rubel, 17, was transported to UMMC, where she was pronounced dead.
Based on the investigation, it's alleged that Scinta was operating the motorcycle in a reckless manner and at a high rate of speed on Pearl Street, with Rubel as a passenger. Scinta struck the curb near the roundabout, causing him to lose control. The motorcycle came to rest on South Main Street, east of the roundabout. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
Scinta was arrested on the following charges:
- Manslaughter 2nd
- Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd
- Obstructing Emergency Medical Services
- Criminal Mischief 4th
- Operator left scene of an accident - injury resulting in death
- Reckless Driving
- Improper passing on the right
- Driving a motor vehicle on a sidewalk
- Operate motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver
- Operate an unregistered motor vehicle on a highway
- Operate a motor vehicle without insurance
- Operate a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate
- Speed not reasonable and prudent
- Operate a motorcycle with improper plate
- Failed to stop at a yield sign when required
Scinta was arraigned in Batavia City Court before Judge Thomas Burns and remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond, or $100,000 partially secured bond. Scinta is scheduled to reappear in Batavia City Court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Matt Lutey at 585-345-6311, the Batavia Police Department's confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370.
Accident scene photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.
