Nassau Woman Convicted Of Driving Into Crowd And Killing One

A Hempstead woman was convicted of manslaughter and other charges on Wednesday for driving into a group of people in 2016, killing one and injuring two others.

Following a four-week trial, the jury deliberated for a day and a half before convicting 24-year-old Shania Buchanan. She faces up to 25 years in prison for manslaughter.

“This defendant willfully drove into a crowd of helpless bystanders because of an ongoing and short-sighted feud,” said District Attorney Madeline Singas in a statement. “As innocent bystanders, Barbara Reid, Betty Sanders and Jose Mena paid the price of that feud. The violence inflicted on them over nothing should remind everyone that cars are weapons and my office will hold driver’s responsible for their choices behind the wheel.”

On April 20, 2016 at 5 p.m., Buchanan drove through a crowd of people standing just off the curb on Linden Avenue in Hempstead, killing 56-year-old Barbara Reid and seriously injuring 45-year-old Betty Sanders and 60-year-old Jose Mena. Buchanan was recklessly driving in the area, where her mother was involved in a fight with another woman. A crowd of 40 to 50 people, including Reid, gathered to watch the fight.

Buchanan was driving between 60 and 70 miles an hour as she accelerated toward the crowd, first hitting Sanders and then Mena, who was on his bicycle. Buchanan’s 1999 Nissan Pathfinder then hit Reid, ultimately killing her. Mena suffered spinal fractures and the force of the impact snapped Sander’s femur and caused muscular damage that will cause her to limp for the rest of her life. Buchanan was arrested June 9, 2016 by Nassau County police.

Buchanan was convicted of first-, second- and third-degree assault, second-degree manslaughter, first-degree reckless endangerment and reckless driving. She is due back in court for sentencing on April 10.

Photo: Nassau County District Attorney's Office