Driver Sentenced for Killing Pedestrian in Hit-and-Run on Buffalo's West Side

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Kaled Handal, 75, of Buffalo, was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to five years of probation. As a condition of the sentence, his New York State driver's license was revoked.

On Friday, April 10, 2026, at approximately 8:25 p.m., the defendant was driving a vehicle on Grant Street in the City of Buffalo when he hit a pedestrian near the intersection of West Ferry Street. After the collision, the defendant continued to drive south on Grant Street without reporting the incident to police.

The victim, 58-year-old Luiman E. Velez, was taken by ambulance to Buffalo General Hospital where he later died from the injuries on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Handal pleaded guilty to count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Death (Class D felony under New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law). The defendant pleaded guilty to the sole count of the indictment and highest sustainable charge.

DA Keane commends Officer Corey Krug and the Buffalo Police Department Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.