Two Pedestrians Killed in Amherst

A motorcyclist faces drunk driving charges after he struck three people walking on a bike path, killing two of them.

Amherst Police Capt. Patrick McKenna says a motorcycle driven by 53-year-old David Smith of Niagara Falls swerved off the roadway on a curve Sunday afternoon.

The bike struck and killed 81-year-old Sheila Pelton of East Amherst and 25-year-old Jocelyn Elberson of Tonawanda. Pelton's husband, 79-year-old Foster Pelton, was hospitalized but is expected to survive.

Smith is charged with driving while intoxicated and criminally negligent homicide. He's in the hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

McKenna on Monday said Smith has been arraigned on the charges he faces.  His first appearance in the Amherst Town Court is set for Thursday at 1 p.m.