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Parents who lost their daughter in a plane crash in Lancaster react to the dismissal of the charges

BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — The family of a Lancaster teenager who died in a car crash in 2022 is reacting to a judge's decision Thursday to drop manslaughter charges against the driver.

Acting Erie District Court Judge Carrie Phillips granted the defense's motion to dismiss the case against Ryan Stencel, who was driving the car that crashed on Warner Road in March 2022. Passengers Makenzie Mycek and Molly Kaminski, both 19, were killed.

At the time, the public prosecutor's office stated that Stencel had “taken a considerable and unjustified risk, which led to the death of his two passengers.”

WKBW

Tread marks can still be seen on the side of Warner Road and a burn mark on a tree following an accident in Lancaster that killed two 19-year-old women on the evening of March 2, 2022.

Following the judge's decision on Thursday, Kris and Toni Kaminski – Molly's parents – released the following statement:

“All the paperwork and lawyers in the world cannot change the fact that Ryan Stencel was responsible for the deaths of Molly and Makenzie and showed no concern for their lives as they burned before his eyes. He stood up and talked; he never once mentioned their names and never even mentioned that he had passengers in the car at all.

He knew what he did then and he knows it now. He must live with that shame, whatever the outcome today, as must those who helped him evade any responsibility.

We thank the Erie County District Attorney's Office for their continued fight for justice for Molly and Kenzie. Please honor Molly and Kenzie's memory by teaching young drivers to value the lives of their fellow drivers and not drive recklessly.”

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane said he disagreed with Judge Phillips' decision and his office would appeal the decision to the Fourth Circuit.

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