A 19-year-old woman killed in a crash with a tractor trailer in Marilla will be laid to rest next week.
Calling hours for Amanda “Manda” Macaluso of Cheektowaga will be held on Sunday from 2-9 p.m. at Kazmierczaks Funeral Home at 3460 Clinton Street in West Seneca. She will be laid to rest at 10 a.m. on Monday at St. Phillip the Apostle Church at 950 Losson Road in Cheektowaga.
Authorities say Macaluso was killed Monday afternoon when she failed to stop at a stop sign on Three Rod Road in Marilla and was T-boned by a tractor trailer traveling east on Bullis Road. She was on her way to see her boyfriend, Alexio Medina.
“I'm having a hard time grasping the fact that I'm never going to see her again,” he said. “She was an amazing girl. She had a heart of gold. She was absolutely beautiful. Just as beautiful on the inside as she was outside.”
The accident happened right outside Brad Rogers’ home on Bullis Road. He rushed out to help.
“I tried to reach in to see if I could feel a pulse on her arm. I couldn't feel anything I was talking to her. I had no response out of her. I just kept assuring her, hang in there please, there's help on the way sweetie. It'll be here, it's on its way. You can hear the ambulance, you could hear the sirens, I wanted her to feel like somebody was there with her and that help was on the way...”
A vigil was held for Macaluso the following day at the crash site, which is marked with flowers and flickering candles.
Medina said, “I can't even describe the feeling I had when I pulled up and I saw her car. I just I feel numb. I feel everything and I feel nothing... It's so surreal to me and I just can't put it all together yet.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses.
