Jude Gagliano

ELLERY – The Lakewood man involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash earlier this month has been charged with vehicular manslaughter.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s office says the Town of Ellery court issued an arrest warrant Monday for 29 year-old Jude Gagliano, as a result of an investigation that revealed he had allegedly been drinking the night of the crash.

On Friday, Sept. 2 just after 9 p.m., a vehicle driven by Gagliano struck a second vehicle driven by 22 year-old Charles Clutter of Stockton. The crash took place at the intersection of Sinclair Drive and Rt. 380. Clutter died as a result of the incident.

Gagliano faces charges of 2^nd degree Vehicular Manslaughter, Driving While Intoxicated, and Failing to stop at a Stop Sign.  He was arraigned in the Town of Ellery Court and sent to the County Jail without bail.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff Office says the crash took place around 9 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Sinclair Drive and Rt. 380.

According to the police report, a vehicle driven by 29 year-old Jude Gagliano of Lakewood struck a second vehicle driven by 22 year-old Charles Clutter of Stockton.

Gagliano was transported via helicopter to Hamot Hospital in Erie for non-life threatening injuries. Clutter was pronounced dead at the scene by the Chautauqua County Coroner’s Office.

The crash remains under investigation.

According to local media reports, Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace said Gagliano may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. He said the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office has been notified and charges could be filed.