UB student killed in car crash in Monroe County

Aspiring sophomore and engineering student Maria Eichas has died on Burritt Road in Parma, NY, around 1 a.m. on June 2, when 33-year-old Alexander Hackett, driving a Toyota Camry, crashed into the rear of Eichas’ Honda CRV. Both vehicles were traveling westbound.

Eichas was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in Eichas’ vehicle was taken to hospital with non-fatal injuries and is expected to recover soon.

Hackett allegedly admitted to investigators that he had consumed approximately four beers before driving and that he was not aware that he was on Burritt Road at the time of the incident.

Hackett was charged with second-degree manslaughter, arraigned in Parma Municipal Court, and is being held in the Monroe County Jail on $40,000 bail. His preliminary hearing, scheduled for last Thursday, was postponed because his case is to be presented to a Monroe County grand jury.

If convicted of the highest charge, Hackett faces a maximum of seven years in prison. The investigation is ongoing.

In a statement to The spectrumBrian Hamluk, UB’s vice president for student life, said the university “extends its sincere and heartfelt condolences to Maria’s family, friends and fellow students” and that they “have contacted Maria’s family to provide her with any support possible during this difficult time.”

Eichas’ friends, including her bandmates from Moxxie, expressed their sadness over Eichas’ death on social media.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and bandmate Maria Eichas. She was incredibly talented and had such a bright future ahead of her,” said a Instagram post by Moxxie reads: “Please be responsible. Drive carefully and sober. You won’t know who you might hurt until it’s too late. None of us thought we would have to write this post. We will miss her very much and we will never forget her.”

Donations to a GoFundMe fundraiser supports with funeral costs and other expenses.

Grief counselors are available at UB Counseling Services, which can be reached at 716-645-2720. If you are in a crisis situation, contact the 24-hour Crisis Services of Western New York hotline at 716-834-3131. Students can also text the Crisis Text Line by texting “GOT5” to 741-741.

Mylien Lai is the senior news editor and can be reached at: [email protected]

MYLIEN LAI

Mylien Lai is senior news editor at The spectrum. When she’s not lost in Buffalo, she enjoys practicing piano and being a bean plant mom. You can find her on Instagram at @my_my_my_myliennnn.