California man charged with vehicular homicide

<p>A California man has been indicted in connection with a fatal crash in Buffalo, New York, that killed a 69-year-old woman riding in a cab. The Erie County District Attorney's Office says James A. Banks, 35, of Antioch, California, is charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and one count of second-degree manslaughter. The charges are allegations, and Banks is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.</p>

<p>According to the district attorney's office, the crash happened around 12:34 a.m. on August 31 in the Kensington-Grider neighborhood. Prosecutors allege Banks was driving west on Kensington Avenue when he drove through a red light at Grider Street and crashed into a cab. The cab's passenger, Gloria Johnson, 69, died from her injuries, District Attorney Michael Keane said. The cab driver was taken to Erie County Medical Center with minor injuries. Officials also allege that Banks was under the influence of alcohol at the time, according to WIVB.</p>

<p>If convicted of the highest charge, Banks faces up to 25 years in prison. He is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court for a pre-trial conference on Tuesday, November 10. Reporting comes from <a href="https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/crime/california-man-charged-after-fatal-crash-in-buffalo/71-249b5ab1-84fe-44df-a804-70369be5c699" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">WGRZ</a> and <a href="https://www.wivb.com/news/crime/california-man-accused-in-fatal-crash-on-kensington-avenue/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">WIVB</a>.</p>