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Arrest made in Pomfret crash that killed child

A monthslong investigation into a crash that killed a 7-year-old girl has netted charges for a Lakewood man.

The New York State Police identified Nicholas P. Mineweaser, 24, as the driver involved in the Feb. 24 multi-vehicle collision on Route 60 in the town of Pomfret.

Emmaline “Emma” Wilcox of Cassadaga was killed in the crash.

On Friday, the state police said Mineweaser was charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter and driving while ability impaired by drugs following an investigation involving multiple agencies, including the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office.

Mineweaser was northbound on Route 60 around 4:10 p.m. when his vehicle struck the back of a 2016 Kia that had stopped to make a left turn into a parking lot. The Kia, of which Wilcox was a passenger, was pushed into the southbound lane, where it was struck by a 2016 Volvo tractor-trailer.

In a news release announcing the charges, the state police said troopers detected the odor of marijuana on Mineweaser at the scene of the crash; an investigation later determined the Lakewood man was allegedly intoxicated by drugs.

Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson confirmed Friday that Mineweaser has been indicted on the vehicular manslaughter and DWAI-drugs charges and arraigned in county court.

Mineweaser is not currently in jail.

“We were pleased we were able to move forward on this case,” Swanson said. “With some of these cases, it can take some time waiting for lab results.”

The district attorney said the case was able to move forward after grand juries began hearing cases again in Mayville. Most court functions were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Swanson also noted that he has remained in contact with the Wilcox family.

“These cases are always awful,” he said. “This involves the death of a 7-year-old, and we will do what we can to make it easier for the family.”

Second-degree vehicular manslaughter, a class D felony, carries a maximum seven-year prison sentence upon conviction.

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