Nassau Woman Pleads Guilty To Fatal High-Speed DWI Crash: DA

BALDWIN, NY — A Baldwin woman pleaded guilty on Monday to killing a man in a drunken high-speed crash in May 2022, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.

Jinaraya Khan, 33, was driving 96 mph while having a BAC of more than three times the legal limit when she killed a 66-year-old man near his home, the DA said.

Khan pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree assault, and aggravated driving while intoxicated. She is expected to be sentenced to six to 18 years in prison when she returns to court on March 27. The Nassau DA's Office recommended a sentence of seven to 21 years in prison.

"Scott Freeman was a longtime Baldwin resident who was looking forward to his retirement," Donnelly said of the man who was killed. "Tragically, Freeman never got to enjoy his golden years because this defendant drove her SUV into the victim's car at 96 miles an hour while she was exceedingly intoxicated. Drunk, impaired and reckless driving is at crisis levels here on Long Island, and this office is dedicated to holding offenders accountable. Our condolences are with Scott's sister and many friends who continue to mourn his loss."

On May 3, 2022, at 5:16 a.m., Freeman tried to make a left turn in his 2011 Toyota Corolla onto Grand Avenue near his home, the DA said. Freeman was then struck by a 2020 BMW X3 driven by Khan, prosecutors said. Khan was highly intoxicated and speeding northbound on Grand Avenue, authorities said.

Freeman was pronounced deceased at the scene, officials said.

Khan remained at the scene and was arrested by Nassau police. She was then brought to the hospital for injuries suffered in the collision, the DA said.

The speed limit on Grand Avenue at that location is 35 mph — Khan drove 61 mph above it, investigators said.

Khan's blood alcohol content was 0.25%, more than three times the legal limit, 42 minutes after the crash, authorities said. She claimed she had drank two mimosas and was late to work at John F. Kennedy Airport, prosecutors said.

Freeman worked at a local printing company and had plans to retire in the next year, the DA said.

Khan is represented by Lance Lazzaro.