Driver Sentenced for Fatal Grant Street Hit-and-Run

A Buffalo man received five years of probation following a fatal collision that killed a 58-year-old local resident.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Accidents

Driver Sentenced for Fatal Grant Street Hit-and-Run

Kaled Handal, 75, was sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death. The charges stemmed from a fatal collision on Grant Street that claimed the life of 58-year-old Luiman E. Velez.

Why it matters

The sentencing concludes the legal proceedings for a fatal crash that occurred after the driver fled the scene without reporting the collision to authorities.

The 75-year-old defendant received a five-year probationary sentence following his guilty plea to leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death. His driver license has been formally revoked by the court.

The players

Kaled Handal

The 75-year-old driver who pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal incident.

Luiman E. Velez

The 58-year-old victim who died following the hit-and-run collision.

The details

Handal struck Velez with his vehicle while driving on Grant Street and failed to report the crash to the police. Velez was transported to Buffalo General Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

April 10: Handal struck Velez with his vehicle on Grant Street.
April 12: Velez died from his injuries at Buffalo General Hospital.
October 2026: Handal received a sentence of five years probation.

Legal Context

This case follows the strict enforcement protocols of New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 600, which mandates reporting requirements for drivers involved in fatal collisions. The sentencing highlights the judicial application of these statutes when a defendant pleads guilty to leaving the scene.

The legal resolution of this case provides clarity to residents regarding the consequences of leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Local drivers should remain aware that failing to report a collision resulting in death carries significant criminal penalties in New York.

The takeaway

Drivers in Buffalo are reminded of the strict legal obligation to stop and report any collision involving bodily injury or death. Fleeing the scene leads to severe criminal charges and the permanent loss of driving privileges.