DA: Levittown Man Indicted in Drunk Driving Crash That Killed His Passenger

Photo: Brian Friedrichs. Credit: NCPD

A Levittown man was indicted this week on manslaughter charges stemming from a high speed drunk driving crash that killed his passenger, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Brian Friedrichs, 23, was arraigned Wednesday on a battery of charges in front of Justice Alan Honorof, who held Friedrichs without bail, said the DA.

Friedrichs is charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehiular manslaughter, two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, second-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and unlawful possession of marijuana, said the DA.

Friedrichs could face five to 15 years in prison if convicted, officials said.

“The life of a young man was cut short by the criminally reckless actions of this driver,” said NCDA Kathleen Rice. “It is a miracle no other innocent motorist was killed by this defendant driving drunk and 120 mph on a Nassau County parkway. Tragically, the death of his passenger was inevitable.”

Nassau County Police said Friedrichs was driving west on the Northern State Parkway near Post Avenue when he lost control of the car at about 4 a.m. on July 22. The gray Mazda flipped several times and ejected Friedrichs and his passenger, Christopher Gallina, 23, also of Levittown, cops said.

Gallina was rushed to Winthrop University Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later, cops said.

Gallina may have been struck by another vehicle after he was ejected from the car, cops said.

The black box inside Friedrichs’ car indicated they were traveling at 120 miles per hour at the time of the crash, said the DA.

Friedrichs is due back in court Oct. 16.

More headlines from Patch:

Police Seek Information in Spree of Tire Slashings, Business Damages

Police: Massapequa Woman Charged in Lynbrook Heroin Sale

Cops: 2 Wearing Ski Masks Held Up Hicksville Store at Gunpoint

Have a news tip? Email heather.doyle@patch.com. You can also post your own news, events and announcements on Patch by followingthesedirections. Curious about how our new commenting platform, Disqus, works? Learn more about it hereand start interacting with your neighbors on Patch.