BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — One man was killed and another is facing several charges, including manslaughter, following a fatal crash on I-190 early Saturday morning, according to the New York State Police.

Police said they responded to a wrong-way, head-on crash on I-190, near the Scajaquada Expressway, just after 3 a.m. Saturday, where a 2011 Dodge Ram, said to have been driven by 52-year-old Guillermo Morales of Buffalo, was driving northbound in the southbound lane. The Dodge hit a 2009 Buick driven by 38-year-old Matthew J. Czop of Tonawanda head-on. Czop was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say Morales was in possession of cocaine and showed signs of intoxication at the scene. He is charged with first-degree vehicular manslaughter, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and additional vehicle and traffic law charges. Police say he has a prior DWI and two prior DWAI convictions.

He was taken to ECMC with non-life threatening injuries. While being hospitalized Saturday, Morales was arraigned on the following charges:

  • One count of vehicular manslaughter in the first degree
  • One count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree
  • One count of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree
  • One count of driving while intoxicated
  • Along with other vehicle and traffic law violations

Morales is scheduled to return to court for a felony hearing on Aug. 18 and was held without bail. If convicted of the highest charge, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.