Westhampton Beach Family Furious After Man Killed

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Friends and family of a man killed by a driver charged with DWI after a crash Sunday are coming together to raise funds for his funeral. They are also expressing outrage that the driver charged with DWI was set free without bail Monday.

"Jonathan was one of the kindest people you could have ever met," reads the GoFundMe fundraiser for Jonathan Armand Flores-Maldonado. "His heart was pure and he was a loving brother, son, boyfriend, cousin and friend. Shortly after graduating University of Buffalo he started to begin his promising life with his loving girlfriend Rebecca. While trying to earn extra money by driving others home safely late at night he was tragically taken from us."

The fundraiser was created by Dylan Page. Funds raised will be used to help pay for expenses and funeral costs, the page said.

"We truly appreciate all of your support during the worst time of our lives," Jonathan’s family wrote.

The Bellport man charged with driving while intoxicated after a crash early Sunday morning in Shirley that left Jonathan Armand Flores-Maldonado dead was free without bail on Monday, according to online court documents.

According to Suffolk County Police, the crash took place at 4 a.m. Sunday in the northbound lane of William Floyd Parkway, just south of Rose Executive Boulevard.

Jordan Randolph, 40, was driving a 2014 Cadillac northbound on William Floyd Parkway when his vehicle rear-ended a 2015 Ford just south of Rose Executive Boulevard; the driver of the Ford, police said. Flores-Maldonado, 27, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

On Monday, Randolph was released on his own recognizance, online court documents indicated.

According to a report by News 12, prosecutors said in court that Randolph was arrested and released on Jan. 1 for allegedly not having a court-ordered ignition interlock device in his car; he also, according to court docs, has a history of DWI with six felony convictions, and six misdemeanor convictions, the post said.

Randolph was transported to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue for treatment of minor injuries, police said.

Relatives of Flores-Maldonado expressed their grief and outrage on social media: Victor Maldonado wrote: "My son was 27 years young. A good man, brother, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend."

His brother also spoke out. "They say when tragedy strikes to stay strong for the family. I feel broken and weak. I feel overwhelming anger and sadness," said Mateo Mangusto Maldonado on Facebook. "He was 27 years old with so much more life to live. My selfless sweet little brother. I've never felt so hopeless. Nothing I say, do, or write will fill the void that's been created in my heart. I love you, Jonathan."

According to the News 12 report, Maldonado's family said he was pursuing a career in medicine and was driving an Uber when he died.

Maldonado's relatives posted in a Facebook group calling for the repeal of a recent bail reform law that has many furious.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks, police said. The crash forced the closure of all lanes on the William Floyd Parkway, police said.

Detectives asked anyone with information on the crash to call the Suffolk County Police Department's major case unit 631-852-6553 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

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