Arlin Aguilera was allegedly intoxicated and driving at high rate of speed when he collided with an Audi Q5, killing a 15-year-old female passenger
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a West Hempstead man was arraigned on aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges stemming from a December 2021 crash on Peninsula Boulevard in Woodmere that killed a teenage passenger and seriously injured the victim driver.
Arlin Aguilera 34, was arraigned Thursday before Judge Robert A. Schwartz on charges including Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a B felony); Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a D felony); Aggravated Vehicular Assault (a C felony); Vehicular Assault in the First Degree (a D felony); Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree (an E felony); Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a C felony); Assault in the Second Degree (a D felony); Assault in the Third Degree (an A misdemeanor); Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree (an A misdemeanor); Driving While Intoxicated (an Unclassified Misdemeanor); Reckless Driving; and Speeding. The defendant pleaded not guilty, and bail was continued at $100,000 cash and $200,000 bond. If convicted on the top charge, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison. Aguilera is due back in court on August 12, 2022.
“This tragic case is yet another example of the fatal concoction that is driving drunk and speeding on our roadways,” said DA Donnelly. “That alleged dangerous combination resulted in a teenage girl losing her life, and serious injuries to the driver and other teen passengers. We see too many fatal collisions following this same pattern in Nassau County, and our prosecutors will continue their diligent pursuit of safer streets and justice for the victims.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, on December 11, 2021, at approximately 10:52 p.m., the defendant was allegedly driving while intoxicated and at a high rate of speed in a 2014 RAM 1500 pickup truck northbound on Peninsula Boulevard. Aguilera allegedly then crashed into an Audi Q5 as it made a turn in front of the defendant’s vehicle from Edward Avenue into the southbound lanes of Peninsula Boulevard.
A 15-year-old female passenger in the Audi was killed in the collision, and the victim driver was seriously injured. Three additional passengers in the Audi also suffered varying degrees of injury.
The defendant was arrested in Woodmere on December 12, 2021, by members of the Nassau County Police Department.
Deputy Chief Stephanie Dellinger of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau is prosecuting this case. The defendant is represented by Sarah Thomas, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
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