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Matthew Whyte, of Laurelton, Queens, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and related charges in Nassau County Court on Thursday, Feb. 20, in the deaths of Florence Oprisan, Ciara Hare, and Jean Marc Miller.
In pleading guilty, Whyte admitted that he was high on marijuana and driving nearly 100 miles per hour, weaving in and out of traffic, when he struck Hare’s vehicle on the Southern State Parkway near exit 32 in Farmingdale shortly before 9 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2022.
Hare’s vehicle slammed into a traffic camera pole on the right shoulder, trapping her inside. The 18-year-old was gravely wounded and died at the scene.
Oprisan, 18, and Miller, 22, who were both passengers in Hare’s vehicle, were ejected from the car. They both died nearly a week later, on Nov. 11.
Whyte escaped the collision with non-life-threatening injuries. He surrendered to New York State Police over a month later, on Dec. 7.
An analysis of his vehicle’s event data recorder showed he was driving 93 miles per hour just moments before the crash, according to the Nassau County DA’s office. A blood test confirmed that he had smoked marijuana.
“This defendant’s guilty plea cannot undo the devastating tragedy that took place along the Southern State Parkway over two years ago,” said Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly.
“Driving at such a high rate of speed poses an immense risk to others who share the road. Doing so while under the influence of drugs is enormously irresponsible and can often result in deadly consequences. Our hearts go out to the families of Ciara, Florence, and Jean.”
In court Thursday, Whyte pleaded guilty to the following counts:
- Aggravated vehicular homicide (felony)
- Three counts of manslaughter (felony)
- Assault (felony)
- Driving while ability impaired by drugs (misdemeanor)
He is expected to get between four and 13 years in prison when he’s sentenced in April.
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