Drunk Driver Killed Motorcyclist In Crash: Nassau Police

HEMPSTEAD, NY — A Hempstead man was charged with manslaughter after Nassau County police said he was driving drunk this weekend when he crashed into a motorcyclist who died.

According to police, a 31-year-old man was driving his Suzuki motorcycle south on Clinton Street, near Burr Avenue, in Hempstead at 10:55 p.m. Sunday. Darwin Velasquez, 29, of Burr Avenue, was heading north on Burr Avenue and was making a left turn when he collided with the motorcycle, police said.

The crash threw the motorcyclist from his vehicle and he died, police said. Velasquez received minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police say an investigation showed that Velasquez was drunk when the crash occurred.

Police have not released the identity of the motorcyclist.

Velasquez was charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving and driving while intoxicated. He is scheduled to be arraigned later Monday.