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The crash happened around 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 12, 2023, in Laurel Hollow.
Odalis and Ismenia Urena, both 37 years old, were traveling in a convertible heading westbound on Northern Boulevard approaching Moores Hill Road.
Sotirios Spanos, age 33, of Syosset, was traveling in a 2023 Acura MDX eastbound on Northern Boulevard at a high rate of speed and while intoxicated, the Nassau County District Attorney's Office said.
Panos crossed into oncoming traffic, struck the front passenger side of the Urenas’ vehicle head-on, and drove over it.
According to the event data recorder inside the Acura, Spanos drove approximately 100 miles per hour only 2.5 seconds before the collision.
He began braking 1.5 seconds before impact and struck the victims’ vehicle at approximately 84.5 miles per hour, the DA said.
Ismenia Urena was pronounced dead at the scene. Odalis Urena was taken to Huntington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:32 a.m.
Spanos pleaded guilty to:
- Aggravated vehicular homicide (a Class B felony);
- Two counts of manslaughter in the second degree (a Class C felony);
- Two counts of assault in the second degree (a Class D violent felony);
- Driving while intoxicated (an unclassified misdemeanor).
“Ismenia and Odalis Urena were a young, successful couple with two daughters and many years of happiness ahead of them, but all of that was erased when this defendant struck the Urena’s vehicle head-on that August morning and killed them,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said. “Sotirios Spanos was hurtling around the curves of Northern Boulevard at 100 miles an hour while two times the legal limit for alcohol.
"His reckless and selfish choices orphaned two girls and shattered a family. Our thoughts are with all of Ismenia and Odalis Urena’s friends and loved ones who continue to suffer the pain of their senseless and tragic loss.”
Spanos is due back in court on Monday, June 17, and is expected to be sentenced to seven to 21 years in prison.
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