Fugitive Charged After Fatal, Fiery Crash To Be Arraigned: DA

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A fugitive charged with manslaughter and DWI after a fiery crash in 1999 that left his passenger dead is slated for arraignment Thursday, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini.

Wilson Pantosin, 44, who fled the country while out on bail after allegedly killing his passenger in a motor vehicle crash in 1999 in East Hampton, is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday at Suffolk County District Court in Central Islip, Sini said.

On Jan. 28, 1999, Pantosin, who was driving while intoxicated, drove across the oncoming traffic lane on Hog Creek Road in East Hampton and struck a utility pole wire and a tree before the vehicle overturned and burst into flames, Sini said.

Pantosin was able to exit the vehicle and told responding officers from the East Hampton Town Police Department that he was alone in the car, Sini said.

After the fire was extinguished, law enforcement and fire personnel discovered the deceased victim’s body in the passenger seat of the vehicle, Sini said.

According to Newsday, the district attorney’s office identified the victim as Wilson Illaisaca, 25.

Pantosin was indicted in 2003 on charges of second degree manslaughter, two counts of second degree vehicular manslaughter, and two counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, Sini said.

Pantosin was extradited from Harris County, TX and was escorted back to Suffolk County on Wednesday, Feb. 28 by detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department’s fugitive squad, Sini said.