DA: Man Arraigned in Fatal Port Washington Hit-and-Run

A Baldwin man was arraigned on grand jury charges for his role in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a man in Port Washington in August, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Cosmin Florea, 34, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident without reporting, driving while high on drugs, and two counts of driving while intoxicated, the DA said.

Florea could face up to seven years in prison if convicted, the DA said.

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On Aug. 15, Florea was driving a car on Main Street in Port Washington and struck Donald Mooney, 49, of Lynbrook, as he crossed the street, cops said.

Mooney was rushed to Nassau University Medicial Center where he died from his injuries, officials said.

Florea was located and charged by Port Washington Police after he was stopped by NYPD in Queens a few hours later, cops said.

Toxicology reports revealed Florea had alcohol and marijuana in his system at the time, the DA said.

“This defendant not only struck and killed an innocent pedestrian while drunk and high on drugs, he left him where he lay without even stopping his vehicle,” DA Rice said. “The tragic death of Donald Mooney is yet another example of how legislation increasing penalties for leaving the scene of a fatal crash is needed in order to help keep the public safe from drunk and drugged drivers.”

Florea is due back in court Nov. 20.

Photo: NCPD

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