21-05-2025
Woman charged in deadly head-on crash in Rochester
A Rochester woman accused of driving drunk and causing a fatal crash on Clifford Avenue in April was arraigned Wednesday morning in Monroe County Court.
Tashara Willis, 34, was driving west on Clifford Avenue early on April 4, when she drove into the eastbound lane and struck an oncoming car head-on, said Capt. Frank Umbrino of the Rochester Police Department.
Otis Johnson, 58, of Rochester died as a result of the two-vehicle crash at Clifford Avenue and Sixth Street. He was alone in his vehicle.
Both Johnson and Willis were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. Johnson died shortly after he arrived, according to police. Willis was hospitalized for several weeks. Johnson's death marked Rochester's 12th homicide of 2025, Umbrino said.
Willis was charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, both felonies, among other driving while intoxicated charges, Umbrino said.
Just before the fatal crash, Willis is accused of leaving a bar and speeding in excess of 80 mph alongside another car on Clifford Avenue, Umbrino said. She is accused of driving under the influence of both alcohol and drugs, with a revoked driver's license due to two previous felony DWI convictions.
On the night of the crash, police also alleged that Willis had more than 20 bags of cocaine in her possession, Umbrino said.
Willis surrendered with her lawyer Wednesday morning and was arraigned in Monroe County Court, where the indictment was unsealed. She was granted a non-monetary release due to her extensive medical condition, and is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 5, according to Rochester police.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Tashara Willis charged in deadly head-on crash in Rochester NY
