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Thirty-year-old Juan De Leon Collado of Freeport entered his guilty plea on Monday, Nov. 27, for his role in the fatal crash just a year before, according to the Nassau County District Attorney.
Earlier Report: 24-Year-Old Man Killed, 3 Others Injured In Drunk Driving Crash In Massapequa Park, Police Say
Just before 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2022, Collado was driving his 2003 Honda CRV the wrong way down the eastbound lanes of Sunrise Highway in Massapequa Park.
Collado had been drinking at a Freeport sports bar before getting behind the wheel, the DA’s Office said.
He was traveling with his 29-year-old cousin, Amaury Ramirez Lora, who was in the passenger seat.
Collado sped down the highway in the wrong direction for a half-mile before he struck a 2022 Honda Civic head-on near Park Boulevard.
The Honda Civic had two passengers – the 28-year-old driver and 24-year-old Nicholas Berardino Jr.
Berardino Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene. The 28-year-old driver suffered extensive injuries, including a fractured hip.
Lora was trapped in the Honda CRV and had to be cut out of it. Two weeks after the crash, he succumbed to his injuries.
Collado pleaded guilty to the following charges:
- Aggravated vehicular homicide;
- Second-degree assault; and
- Aggravated driving while intoxicated.
He is due for sentencing on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. He is expected to receive a sentence of seven to 21 years in prison.
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