Man Pleads Guilty To Fatally Hitting Pedestrian While On Drugs

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - A Centereach man was convicted on Tuesday for striking and killing a pedestrian while impaired by several drugs in Nesconset last September according to Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini.

Jesse Santucci, 42, pleaded guilty to second degree vehicular manslaughter and driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs, the DA said.

On Sept. 29, 2018, Santucci was driving a 2018 Audi A6 northbound on Rosevale Avenue when his vehicle struck a pedestrian, identified as 26-year-old Kevin Hartnett, walking northbound on the shoulder of the roadway.

Hartnett, of Ronkonkoma, was transported by Nesconset Rescue ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition.

He succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 1, 2018.

Santucci was arrested by police following the crash. A blood test revealed that he was driving while impaired by a combination of drugs including fentanyl, morphine, Suboxone and Neurontin. He was also in possession of THC oil.

"Anytime you get behind the wheel while impaired by drugs or alcohol, you are putting lives at risk," Sini said. "There is no excuse for this reckless, dangerous behavior. Today’s conviction holds this individual responsible and serves justice for the victim and his loved ones."

Santucci is scheduled to be sentenced by Suffolk County Acting Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho on August 22.