Duo Indicted In Fatal 122 MPH LIE Crash: DA

Two men have been indicted on charges related to a fatal crash on the Long Island Expressway in Woodbury in February, according to the Nassau County DA.

Jonnathan Santos, 20, of Muttontown was arraigned on Wednesday before judge Francis Ricigliano on charges of:

• second degree manslaughter
• second degree assault
• second degree vehicular manslaughter
• second degree reckless endangerment
• fourth degree criminal sale of marijuana
• DWAI by the combined influence of drugs or of alcohol
• operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs
• operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
• reckless driving

Bail was set at $100,000 bond or $75,000 cash and Santos is due back in court on July 10.

Areefeen Hirji, 20, of Manhasset was arraigned on June 13 before Judge Ricigliano on charges of:

• second degree manslaughter
• second degree assault
• leaving the scene of an incident, without reporting
• second degree reckless endangerment
• making a punishable false written statement
• reckless driving

Bail was set at $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash and Hirji is due back in court July 10.

If convicted, both men face up to 15 years in prison.

On Feb. 24, Santos was driving a 2015 BMW 528i eastbound on the LIE just west of the overpass for Route 135 while Hirji was driving a 2017 Honda Accord, according to the DA.

Both were driving in and out of the eastbound travel lanes around others car before crashing into each other while driving at 122 mph, the DA said.

The impact from the crash caused the BMW to spin out and collide with a guardrail and a pickup truck, the DA said.

The passenger in the backseat driver’s side of the BMW, 18-year-old Giannfranco Peralta, was ejected from the car and died on the scene, the DA said.

Two other passengers in the BMW were treated for minor injuries.

It is alleged that Santos was impaired by alcohol and drugs and that Hirji fled the scene following the crash.

Two days later, Hirji responded to a police precinct, where he initially gave a false statement regarding who was driving the Honda, the DA said. He later admitted he was driving the car, according to the DA.

“These defendants used the LIE as their personal race track – and it tragically cost a young man his life,” DA Madeline Singas said. “This type of behavior on our roadways will not be tolerated – and my office is committed to prosecuting these cases to the fullest extent the law allows.”

Pictured (from left to right): Areefeen Hirji and Jonnathan Santos

Photo courtesy of the Nassau County DA