New York Woman Sentenced to 15 Years After Intentionally Striking and Killing Man With Her Vehicle During Confrontation in Cheektowaga
NEW YORK — A 22-year-old woman from Buffalo has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison after prosecutors say she intentionally struck a man with her vehicle during a confrontation in Cheektowaga, killing him. The sentencing was announced by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, closing a case that stemmed from a violent dispute earlier this year.
Deadly Incident Began With a Dispute at a Car Wash
Authorities identified the defendant as Iyanna Scott, who became involved in a heated altercation with two men on the evening of May 19, 2024. According to investigators, the confrontation took place at a car wash on the 2200 block of Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga.
Witnesses stated that Scott attempted to physically fight both men before they walked away from the dispute. Instead of leaving the area, prosecutors say Scott got into her vehicle and drove toward the men as they crossed Union Road.
Prosecutors: Scott Intentionally Drove Into the Victim
Investigators say Scott intentionally accelerated her vehicle toward the men, striking one of them and causing fatal injuries. The man, whose name has not been released in the provided information, died as a result of the impact.
Coworkers told investigators that Scott had allegedly been dealing with prior domestic issues with the man involved, and was believed to have arrived at work with visible injuries in the past. Prosecutors emphasized, however, that regardless of relationship history, intentionally using a vehicle as a weapon carried severe legal consequences.
Guilty Plea Entered in November
Scott pleaded guilty in November 2024 to first-degree manslaughter, admitting her role in the deadly collision. During sentencing, the court imposed a determinate term of 15 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Prosecutors described the sentence as appropriate given the intentional nature of the act and the danger posed to others in the vicinity during the incident.
Case Highlights Rising Concerns About Escalated Domestic Disputes
The violent confrontation has renewed conversations about the dangers of domestic conflict escalating into public violence. While investigators noted that Scott had previously described the victim as abusive, law enforcement stresses that retaliatory actions, particularly involving deadly force, create significant public safety risks.
Residents in the area remain shaken by the incident, recalling that the confrontation occurred in a normally busy intersection shared by pedestrians and drivers. Readers are invited to share their thoughts or concerns on community safety at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
