Nassau Man Sentenced For DWI Crash That Killed Passenger

A Freeport man was sentenced on Monday to six to 18 years in jail for a crash on the Southern State Parkway last April that one person and injured two others. Jonathan Sobrane, 38, was driving while high when he caused the crash.

Sobrane pleaded guilty on March 28 to aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of second-degree assault and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by the combined use of drugs or alcohol.

“Jonathan Sobrane, a 38-year-old adult, was high on drugs and driving like he was in a video game when he crashed and killed 22-year-old Vito Errico and injured two other young passengers,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “It is unimaginable that drivers like Sobrane continue to risk the lives of their passengers and everyone else on our roads with such wildly reckless and dangerous behavior. Other reckless drivers should be on notice that Nassau County will not tolerate this threat to public safety. Like Sobrane, my office will hold you to the highest charges the law allows.”

On April 17, 2016 at about 3:40 a.m., Sobrane was driving eastbound on the Southern State Parkway in a white 2004 Acura with three passengers in the car. The group was returning from New York City. Toxicology tests revealed that Sobrane was drunk and high on heroin while he was driving. He was travelling at speeds of at least 90 miles per hour, weaving across three lanes of traffic and driving in exit and entrance ramps to pass other motorists. As Sobrane changed lanes, he clipped the back of a white 2006 Toyota Highlander travelling in the same direction. The collision caused the Sobrane's car to spin off the road, hit trees and uproot a light pole.

A 23-year-old female passenger in the passenger seat suffered massive cuts to her head that left her skull exposed and a fractured femur. A 21-year-old male in the backseat sustained a broken arm and finger. A 22-year old male passenger, Vito Errico, was ejected from the backseat and was found with the light pole across his chest and died as a result of his injuries. Sobrane was not injured.

Photo: Nassau County District Attorney's Office