NHP Man, 19, Pleads Guilty to Causing Fatal Crash While Drunk, High

Nassau County Court agreed to sentence a New Hyde Park teen to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to causing a fatal crash while under the influence of alcohol and drugs in August 2014, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced Tuesday.

Deepak Kumar, 19, pleaded guilty to all 14 indictment charges related to the fatal crash that killed a 55-year-old man and injured his 38-year-old wife and 6-year-old daughter.

Kumar pleaded guilty before the trial was set to start to the charges of:

• Aggravated vehicular homicide
• Second degree manslaughter
• Aggravated vehicular assault
• Second degree vehicular manslaughter
• Two counts of second degree assault
• Second degree vehicular assault
• Two counts of third degree assault
• Second degree reckless endangerment
• Driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs and alcohol
• Driving while ability impaired on drugs
• Reckless driving
• Driving a motor vehicle without a proper license

On Aug. 19, 2014, Kumar was speeding in his 2003 Toyota Camry when he ran a stop sign on Second Avenue and struck a 2012 Ford Fusion traveling southbound on Covert Avenue in New Hyde Park, the DA says.

Kumar, who was 17 at the time, was drinking and smoking marijuana at the LIRR station in New Hyde Park before the crash occurred, according to the DA. Four other people were in his car at the time of the crash.

The driver of the Ford Fusion, Sir Pierre Antoine, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. His wife, who was found unconscious, and their daughter, who suffered a fractured leg, were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, according to police.

The family was in town from California visiting relatives and they were returning to a family member’s house from the hospital when the crash occurred.

The District Attorney’s Office recommended a sentence of six years in prison, but the court agreed to four years. Kumar is due back in court for sentencing on March 23.