Port Jefferson Station Man Convicted After Wrong Way DWI Crash: DA

PORT JEFFERSON STATION, NY — A Port Jefferson Station man involved in a DWI crash that killed an Aquebogue man in 2015 was convicted of second degree manslaughter Monday, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

After a two-week bench trial, State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho convicted Christopher O’Brien, 56. O’Brien was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes of Sunrise Highway when the crash happened, Spota said.

Justice Camacho acquitted O'Brien of one charge of second degree murder depraved indifference and multiple reckless endangerment charges, Spota said.

In addition to the manslaughter charge, Justice Camacho convicted O’Brien of second degree vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired by a drug, cocaine, driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and cocaine, and reckless driving, Spota said.

The victim, Thomas D’Eletto, 57, was driving his Toyota Corolla to work in Nassau County when he was killed in the Yaphank crash, Spota said.

Suffolk County crime lab tests reported O’Brien’s blood-alcohol level at .17, more than twice the legal threshold of .08 for DWI, Spota said.

During the trial in Central Islip, witnesses testified that several motorists were forced from the roadway on the morning of Dec. 23, 2015 to avoid colliding with O’Brien, Spota said.

O’Brien will face a maximum of up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced November 30, Spota said.