2 Teens Arrested, Charged In Crash That Killed 75-Year-Old Man: DA

NORTH BABYLON, NY — Two teenagers were arrested and charged for their involvement in a 2021 crash on the Southern State Parkway that killed a 75-year-old man, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said Friday.

"Defendant 1", a then 16-year-old male, and "Defendant 2", a then 15-year-old male, were both both charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, police said.

On July 12, 2021, Defendant 1 was driving a stolen Jeep Cherokee eastbound on the Southern State Parkway; defendant 2 was driving a stolen Range Rover behind him, police said

Defendant 1 was driving erratically and recklessly, police said, weaving in and out of traffic without signaling and at high rate speed well in excess of the posted 55 mile per hour speed limit, at a speed of at least 100 miles per hours, Tierney said.

As he continued to drive, police said Defendant 1 cut between two cars — a Toyota Prius and a Mitsubishi Outlander — near Exit 38, in North Babylon.

Defendant 2 then attempted to do the same, but collided with the cars, police said.

The driver, Richard A. Biggs, 75, of Holbrook, who was driving the Outlander lost control, struck a tree and overturned before coming to rest on the right shoulder, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The Prius collided into the center median and the driver sustained a laceration to his head requiring staples, police said.

“This was a senseless crime that took the life of a husband, a father and grandfather for no good reason," said Tierney. "We look forward to bringing those responsible to justice.”

Defendant 1 turned the Jeep Cherokee around, drove westbound on the eastbound shoulder of the Southern State Parkway and drove back to the crash site, police said. He ultimately picked up Defendant 2 and another occupant in the stolen Range Rover and fled the scene, police said.

Later that day, Defendant 1 was reportedly involved in another motor vehicle crash in Bay Shore where he went through a stop sign, struck another car and fled the scene on foot, police said. The driver of that other car sustained minor injuries, police said.

DNA analysis later assisted in the investigation linking Defendant 1 to the crimes, police said.

On Friday morning, New York State Police troopers attempted to arrest Defendant 1 in Westchester at a juvenile detention center where he was being held on another crime, Tierney said. Defendant 1 jumped out of a window and fled on foot from the facility, police said.

He was eventually tracked down sometime later in the morning by New York State Police troopers who were able to track him down in a backyard residence and take him into custody, Tierney said.

Defendant 1 was arraigned on Friday in front of Suffolk County Court Judge Karen Kerr and is being held on $500,000 cash bail, $750,000 secured bond or $1 million partially secured bond, Tierney said. He represented by Bill Sammis and is due back in court April 6, the DA said.

Since Defendant 2 was 15 years-old at the time of the alleged crime he was arraigned in family court by the County Attorney’s Office, police said.