A woman from Buffalo, N.Y. has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for deliberately driving into two men — fatally striking one — following an argument, officials said Monday.
Iyanna R. Scott, 22, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in November for ramming her Hyundai Elantra into a man in Cheektowaga last year following an argument, Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane said.
The incident, described by Keane as “a totally senseless crime,” unfolded on the evening of May 19, 2024, as Scott arrived at a car wash on the 2200 block of Walden Avenue with the two victims in the vehicle.
Outside the business, Scott got into an argument with one of the men, prosecutors said. When the dispute turned physical, both men walked away, but she followed and drove toward them as they crossed Union Road.
“This defendant, who was driving around with these men prior to the crime, intentionally drove her vehicle into their path as they defenselessly walked across the street,” Keane said.
One of the victims, 21-year-old Demario Patterson, was hit. He was taken by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center, where he later died. The other man was not injured, officials said.
Scott drove away from the scene without notifying police, prosecutors said. Authorities later found her car on Briscoe Avenue in Buffalo.
She was indicted on murder and attempted murder charges in June 2024 and was held without bail. Early last month, she pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter.
“My thoughts remain with the family and friends of the victim whose life was tragically cut short due to this defendant’s aggressive behavior and dangerous actions,” Keane said following her guilty plea.
On Friday, State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller sentenced Scott to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision.
