Man Sentenced To Prison For Fatal Crash That Killed 2: DA

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - A Lindenhurst man was sentenced to prison for causing the death of two passengers and injuring a third passenger in a single-car crash in 2017 while driving under the influence of drugs, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini announced on Friday.

David O’Brien, 19, was sentenced by Suffolk County Court Judge Anthony S. Senft, Jr. to four to 12 years in prison, the DA said.

O’Brien pleaded guilty in May to aggravated vehicular homicide, first degree vehicular manslaughter, two counts of second degree manslaughter, first degree aggravated vehicular assault, three counts of second degree assault, two counts of second degree vehicular manslaughter, three counts of second degree vehicular assault, driving while ability impaired by a combination of drugs, seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, reckless driving, and unlawful possession of marijuana, the DA said.

"Let this serve as a reminder to young people that if you drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could end up killing yourself or, as was the case for Mr. O’Brien, your friends," Sini said. "It is our hope that no other families have to endure this kind of tragedy."

In October 2017, O’Brien was driving a red 1998 Ford Mustang southbound on North Wellwood Avenue when the car left the roadway and struck a fire hydrant, dislodging the hydrant from the ground and launching it down the street, the DA said.

The car continued further down the road and came to rest after striking a tree, according to Sini.

The front seat passenger, 16-year-old Joseph Galdorisi, of Lindenhurst, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, the DA said.

Maggie Miller, 24, of Copiague, who was a backseat passenger in the car, was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip where she was pronounced dead, according to to Sini.

A second backseat passenger, Daniel Ozarowski, of Lindenhurst, sustained serious physical injuries due to the crash, Sini said.

Following the crash, O’Brien’s blood tested positive for the presence of marijuana and Xanax.

Drugs were also found in O’Brien’s possession, both on his person and in the car, the DA said.