Man Arraigned On 30-Count Indictment After Fatal Crash: DA

GREENPORT, NY —A Greenport man who drove drunk and crashed into a van, killing one and injuring six in July, was arraigned on a 30-count indictment unsealed Wednesday, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini.

Glenn Zaleski, 36, allegedly drove into oncoming traffic on Route 48 on July 15 in Greenport while drunk, Sini said.

Zaleski appeared in Suffolk County Court Wednesday before Suffolk County Acting Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho in Central Islip and pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were upgraded from an initial DWI charge in July, Sini said.

Zaleski was charged with seven counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, a felony; second degree manslaughter, a felony; eight counts of aggravated vehicular assault, a felony; two counts of second degree vehicular manslaughter, a felony; two counts of first degree vehicular assault, a felony; two counts of second degree assault, a felony; aggravated driving while intoxicated, a felony; two counts of driving while intoxicated, a felony; three counts of third degree assault, a misdemeanor; reckless driving, a misdemeanor; and failure to maintain lane, a traffic infraction, Sini said.

According to a Newsday post, Zaleski told authorities that he'd had six to eight beers at a family party and then slept in his truck before driving. The post added that Zaleski's attorney Anthony Rutkowski said his client had "expressed remorse."

“This case serves as yet another stark reminder of the potentially fatal consequences of drinking and driving,” Sini said. “Especially now during the holiday season, we want to remind drivers that getting behind the wheel while drunk is extremely dangerous, it’s illegal, and it’s completely avoidable. There is no excuse for this kind of behavior in this day and age. If you do make the decision to drink and drive, my office will hold you accountable, as evidenced by the severe charges this defendant now faces.”

On July 15, Zaleski was driving a 2016 Dodge pickup truck east on Route 48 at 8:34 a.m. when he allegedly lost control of the vehicle and crossed into the westbound lane, Sini said. His vehicle struck a minivan containing seven Flushing residents who were returning from visiting Lavender by the Bay in East Marion, Sini said.

The driver of the minivan, Youfeng Yang, 51 was killed in crash, two passengers suffered serious physical injuries and the remaining four passengers suffered various physical injuries, Sini said.

A blood test performed by police and a test of Zaleski’s blood taken at the hospital following the crash showed Zaleski’s blood alcohol level to be at .23 percent and .22 percent, Sini said; the legal limit is .08 percent.

If convicted, Zaleski faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison; he is due back in court on Jan. 28, Sini said. Zaleski was held on the original $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond set at Southold Justice Court in July, Sini said.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Raymond Varuolo, of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.

Rutkowski did not immediately return a request for comment.

Patch photo courtesy Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini's Office.