DA: Man Pleads Guilty to Vehicular Homicide in Fatal Crash

A Queens man pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in a high speed car crash that killed four of his friends, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Joseph Beer, 19, pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and driving while impaired by drugs in front of Judge David Sullivan Tuesday, said the DA. Sullivan also found Beer guilty of driving without a license.

The plea came after a jury convicted Beer in June of four counts of four counts of second-degree manslaughter, second-degree reckless endangerment, and reckless driving.

At the time, the jury was unable to return a verdict on charges of first-degree aggravated vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, four counts of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.

Beer also admitted in court Tuesday to being high on marijuana at the time of the crash, said the DA.

At 3:35 a.m. on Oct. 8, 2012, Beer was reportedly high at the wheel of his 2012 Subaru when he lost control of the car near Exit 17S in Malverne. The car skidded over 200 feet across three lanes, left the road, and slammed into tree. The impact tore the car in half.

Authorities said the car was traveling at speeds over 110 miles per hour at the time of the accident.

Darian Ramnarine, 18, of Inwood, Peter Kanhai, 18, of South Ozone Park, Neal Rajapa, 17, of South Ozone Park, and Christopher Kahn, 18, of Ozone Park, were thrown from the vehicle and were killed.

Beer was rushed to the hospital and tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, authorities said. He later admitted to smoking pot before driving.

At the time, Beer only had a learner’s permit and was not allowed to drive between 9 a.m. and 5 a.m.

“For the families of the four teenagers killed in this horrific crash, there will be no end to the pain and sorrow felt for the young lives that ended much too soon,” DA Kathleen Rice said. “Today’s plea ensures that justice will be served while sparing these grieving families the heavy emotional toll of a second trial.”

Beer is due back in court Aug. 26.

Related stories:

Teen Guilty in High Speed Crash That Killed 4 of His Friends

Drug Test Sends Teen Driver in Fatal Crash Back to Jail

Four Killed in Parkway Crash in Malverne

More headlines on Patch:

Cops: 12 DWIs Reported Last Week

Police: Car Found in Merrick Belonged to Murdered Farmingville Woman

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano Celebrates The Garden City Hotel’s 140th Anniversary

Cops: Off-Duty Trooper Drives Drunk, Slams into Another Trooper