Huntington Man Pleads Not Guilty to Driving Drunk, Seriously Injuring 10-Year-Old: DA

A Huntington man pleaded not guilty Friday to causing a woman and her 10-year-old daughter serious injuries after he drove drunk and crashed into oncoming traffic in Woodbury earlier this year, according to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Eugene Golden, 60, was indicted on the following charges:

• Two counts of aggravated vehicular assault
• Two counts second-degree assault
• Three counts of first-degree vehicular assault
• Two counts of second-degree vehicular assault
• Second-degree reckless endangerment
• Reckless driving
• Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol
• Aggravated operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol

On March 8, Golden was driving a Mercedes-Benz SUV north on Woodbury Road when he collided with a Nissan that was heading south on Woodbury Road at 9:38 p.m., police say.

The Nissan was occupied by a 43-year-old woman and her 10-year-old daughter. The child suffered a head injury and was listed in critical condition at a hospital, police said.

“This is another heartbreaking example of a selfish driver allegedly deciding to drink to the point of intoxication and then drive at the risk of everyone around him,” Singas said in a press release. “That risk turned into a devastating reality when the defendant’s SUV crossed into oncoming traffic and struck the car of an unsuspecting mother and her 10-year-old daughter, leaving them with severe, life-altering injuries that were completely avoidable.”

Bail was set at $10,000 bond or $5,000 cash despite the NCDA requesting for bail to be set at $300,000 cash or $150,000 bond.

Golden faces up to 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count. He is due back in court on July 8.