An 18-year-old Ithaca man has been arraigned on felony manslaughter charges in connection with the September crash that killed a passenger in his vehicle.
Michael Blake Jr. was arraigned Tuesday in Schuyler County Court on charges of second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, and misdemeanor driving while ability impaired related to alcohol and drug use.
Prosecutors allege Blake recklessly operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, leading to a collision that caused the death of his passenger. The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office previously reported the crash happened Sept. 28, around 11:45 a.m. on County Road 1 in Hector. Deputies arrived to find a 2010 Ford Fusion that had gone off the road after failing to negotiate a curve and struck several trees.
During the bail hearing, District Attorney Jeremy Hourihan argued that the seriousness of the charges, the potential prison sentence, and the harm caused warranted monetary bail. County Court Judge Matthew 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 second-degree manslaughter charge and up to seven years on the vehicular manslaughter charge.
Blake is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 19.
The case is being prosecuted by the Schuyler County District Attorney’s Office and was investigated by the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
