Man Sentenced In Drunken Manhasset Crash That Injured 4 In 2020

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — A Queens man was sentenced Wednesday to six to 12 years in prison for a head-on drunk driving crash that seriously injured four in Manhasset in March 2020, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced Thursday.

Jesus Lugo Santana, 51, of Bayside, pleaded guilty on April 18 to two counts of aggravated vehicular assault, one count of second-degree assault, and driving while intoxicated.

"This defendant was speeding and highly intoxicated when he slammed head-on into oncoming traffic, seriously injuring four victims," Donnelly said in a news release. "The victims' injuries were so severe that they required extensive physical therapy, surgeries, and one victim remains in a wheelchair to this day. They are lucky to be alive. Santana disregarded the lives of motorists sharing the road with him that night, and that decision has cost him his freedom."

Santana was driving a black Nissan Murano while intoxicated westbound on Northern Boulevard near Schenk Avenue in Manhasset around 8:25 p.m. March 20, 2020, Donnelly said. At the same time, a white Hyundai Sonata carrying a driver and three passengers was driving eastbound, the DA said.

Santana was traveling at approximately 71 mph when he lost control of his car, crossed over the double-yellow line, and hit the Hyundai head-on, officials said. The speed limit on Northern Boulevard is 40 mph, the DA said.

Santana was trapped inside of his Nissan after the crash, prosecutors said. A nearly empty bottle of rum was found in his car, authorities said.

The four victims were taken to Northwell Health, Long Island Jewish Medical Center with extensive physical injuries, including broken bones, shoulder and leg injuries requiring surgery, as well as spinal and neck injuries, Donnelly said.

Three of the victims underwent physical therapy, one for more than a year and a half, and another victim is still wheelchair bound because of ongoing complications from her injuries, the DA said.

Santana was taken to NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island. He had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.27% approximately an hour and a half after the crash, officials said.

Santana was arrested at the scene on Northern Boulevard at 8:55 p.m. by Nassau County Police on March 20, 2020.