Man Indicted On Upgraded Charges After Death In 2017 Crash

MASTIC, NY — A Mastic man has been indicted on upgraded charges after the death of a victim injured in a 2017 crash, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini.

Sini today announced the unsealing of the superseding indictment Thursday.

“The impact of the crash was so strong, it shattered the front windshield of the defendant’s car,” Sini said. “And yet, he did not even stop to see if the victim was injured or to call for help. This individual showed a disregard for the law by allegedly driving while intoxicated and a disregard for human life when he fled the scene of the crash.”

Robert Slawinski, 48, of Mastic, was indicted on new charges of first degree vehicular manslaughter, a felony; two counts of second degree vehicular manslaughter, a felony; and leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death without reporting, a felony, Sini said.

Slawinski was indicted in December, 2017 on charges of first degree vehicular assault, a felony; two counts of second degree vehicular assault, a felony; and leaving the scene of an incident resulting in serious physical injury without reporting, a felony, Sini said. He is also charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and two counts of driving while intoxicated, all misdemeanors, Sini said.

At 10:15 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2017, Slawinski was driving a 2010 Jeep Wrangler on Old Town Road in Coram while on his way home from a bar in the East Setauket area when he struck a pedestrian, Anthony Loiodici, 48, of Medford, Sini said.

Loiodici was transported by Selden Fire Department Ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition; he remained hospitalized for 13 months until succumbing to his injuries on Oct. 25, 2018, Sini said.

Following the crash, Slawinski fled the scene in the Jeep, which had a shattered front windshield from the impact; approximately one hour later, he called 911 to report that he might have hit something while driving, Sini said.

Six hours after the crash, a blood test revealed Slawinski’s blood alcohol content to be .12 percent, Sini said.

“Especially as we head into Super Bowl weekend, the message bears repeating: Do not, under any circumstances, get behind the wheel of a car if you have been drinking,” Sini said. “The consequences could be fatal for you, your passengers, or others on the road.”

Slawinski was arraigned on the superseding indictment Thursday in front of Suffolk County Court Judge Anthony Senft Jr. Bail was transferred from the superseded indictment in the amount of $100,000 bond, which Slawinski previously posted, Sini said. He is due back in court on Feb. 21.

If convicted, Slawinski faces a maximum sentence of seven and one-third to 22 years in prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Marc Lindemann of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.

Patch file photo.