DA: Upgraded Charges for Driver in Crash That Killed 2 Lynbrook Residents

Charges have been upgraded against a Lynbrook man who drove high and caused a crash that killed two people in January, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

John Aniano, 25, was arraigned Wednesday on manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter and drugged driving charges before Supreme Court Justice Patricia Harrington, the DA said.

On Jan. 12 at 8:13 p.m., Aniano was driving a 2004 Mercedes Benz west on Sunrise Highway when he rear-ended a 2005 Toyota, driven by John Jones, 54, of Lynbrook, at 8:13 p.m., Nassau County Police said. The impact propelled the Toyota into oncoming traffic where it struck the driver’s side of a second Toyota before coming to rest east of Atlantic Avenue, cops said.

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Jones was rushed to South Nassau Communities Hospital but was pronounced dead by a hospital doctor, police said. His passenger, Sharon Rene Long, 53, of Lynbrook, was pronounced dead at the scene by a Lynbrook Fire Department medical technician, cops said.

The unidentified 67-year-old driver of the second Toyota was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Aniano was hospitalized for leg injuries and was believed to be under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash, detectives said. Two prescription bottles were found inside his car, police said.

Aniano was originally charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree vehicular manslaughter and and DWAI-combined influence.

On Wednesday, Aniano was formally charged with multiple felonies, including two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of first-degree vehicular manslaughter, two counts of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs. He was also arraigned on charges of reckless driving and second-degree endangerment, according to the DA.

The Appellate Division denied a previous attempt by Aniano’s defense to lower his bail, the DA said. Harrington continued his bail at $1 million bond or $500,000 cash, officials said.

Photo: Crash site. Credit: Google Maps

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