BUFFALO, N.Y. — Prosecutors say that Jayla L. Mueller, 19, pleaded guilty Tuesday for her role in a crash that killed three of her passengers in Amherst in February 2023. Mueller faced three counts of manslaughter and one count of reckless driving. She pleaded guilty to all four counts.
According to prosecutors, Mueller was speeding on the John James Audubon Parkway and lost control on the ramp onto Millersport Highway.
Azathiel Pabon, 18, Isabella French, 19, and Dakota Eldridge, 20, died after being ejected from Mueller's car. Mueller and a fourth passenger suffered minor injuries.
Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan committed to sentencing Mueller as a youthful offender, on the conditions that "she remain arrest free, comply with the pre-sentence investigation and appear in court for sentencing." As a youthful offender, she would face up to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison.
If Mueller does not stay out of criminal trouble, she could face up to the maximum sentence for the crime. Prosecutors objected to the judge's decision and wanted Mueller to face the maximum sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.
Mueller is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, July 8 at 9:30 a.m.
