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Rauber Hill Sunrise, by Mel Hunt

BREAKING: Little Genesee man charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI after fatal Portville crash

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(Photo of Skylar Hess from his Facebook page)

BY JOHN ANDERSON

Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies charged Skyler J. Hess, 20, of Little Genesee with second-degree felony manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and two counts of felony second-degree vehicular assault after an accident that killed one teen and injured two others on Saturday at 1 a.m.

Kayden Joseph Belleisle, 19, of Olean died at the scene. Two other bystanders were injured. Deputies said Hess allegedly drove off the road, struck a parked Jeep which struck another vehicle and struck the teens who were talking with friends in a yard at a private residence off Route 417.

Deputies said Hess was arraigned in Portville Court and sent to the Carraagus County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash or $100,000 property bond.

Hess posted the property bond and was released under supervision until Sept. 6 when he has his next court date.

The profile photo on Skylar Hess’ Facebook page. He was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI and was released on bail.

According to a report in the Bradford Era in 2021, Hess faced charges of two counts of simple assault, second-degree misdemeanors; and two counts each of harassment and disorderly conduct, summary charges. Felony strangulation charges were dismissed. It was for an incident in Ceres. The Bradford Era reported Hess was involved in a physical altercation with two females at the residence, the complaint stated.

Belleisle is a 2021 Olean High graduate and was honored for his academic work at the Career & Technical Educational Center in Olean.

Gabby Kranock, 18, was also struck and was taken to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo in critical condition. She has had multiple surgeries on her neck and back according to friends on her GoFundMe page.

Hailey Bello, 16, was also struck and friends say she was released from the hospital and has a long road to recovery.

Calling hours for Kayden were held today at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean services will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022.

Here is our original reporting:

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