A fatal crash that killed a passenger has led to felony charges against an Ithaca teenager in Schuyler County.
Prosecutors identified the defendant as Michael A. Blake Jr., 18, who was arraigned in Schuyler County Court on Jan. 27 on multiple charges tied to the collision.
Authorities charged Blake with manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and drugs, and driving while ability impaired by drugs.
Prosecutors allege Blake recklessly operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, causing a crash that resulted in the death of a passenger in his vehicle.
At the bail hearing, District Attorney Jeremy Hourihan argued that the seriousness of the charges, the potential prison sentence, and the harm caused justified monetary bail. Judge Matthew C. Hayden set bail at $15,000 cash, $30,000 insurance bond, or a $75,000 partially secured surety bond.
If convicted, Blake faces up to 15 years in state prison on the manslaughter charge and up to seven years on the vehicular manslaughter charge.
Blake is scheduled to return to Schuyler County Court on Feb. 19. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The Schuyler County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department, its Criminal Investigation Division, and New York State Police investigated the crash.
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