Driver Charged With Manslaughter in Nassau Crash That Kills Passenger

FREEPORT, NY – A 45-year-old man is charged with manslaughter following a two-car crash in Freeport that killed a female passenger in his vehicle, Nassau Police said.

According to police, William Billups, of Hempstead, was driving a 2001 Buick LeSabre south on Rutland Road when his vehicle struck a 2012 Mercedes-Benz that was traveling west on Seaman Avenue at about 8:20 p.m.

Both vehicles careened to the southwest corner of the intersection, where the Mercedes came to rest against a house, police said.

A passenger in the Buick, a 33-year-old woman, was taken to Nassau University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 10:48 p.m.

The driver of the Mercedes was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Billups was arrested and taken to the hospital to be treated for a leg injury.

Billups is charged with second degree manslaughter, third degree assault and third degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He will be arraigned when medically practical.