Coram Man Sentenced to Prison For Causing LIE Crash That Killed His Stepfather

A Coram man was sentenced to prison Wednesday for causing a Long Island Expressway crash that killed his stepfather in 2014.

Rafael Ortiz, 59, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, DWI and driving while ability impaired by drugs. He waived his right to appeal, the DA says.

Ortiz was sentenced to an upstate correctional facility for 6 ½ to 13 years.

In April 2014, Ortiz was driving drunk and high on drugs when his vehicle veered off the roadway and struck a tree and a telephone pole east of Exit 50 in Melville, the DA says.

Ortiz’s stepfather, 83-year-old Dominic Bottiglieri, was pronounced dead at the scene.

On the night of the crash, Ortiz made comments to authorities about drinking wine, beer, vodka and taking oxycodone, the DA says. Police also reportedly found a pipe with marijuana residue in Ortiz’s pocket.

Image via SCDA