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Dante Lennon, age 23 of Freeport, was sentenced to six to 18 years behind bars on Monday, June 17, the Nassau County District Attorney announced.
Over two years before, on May 21, 2022, Lennon was drunk, driving his Mercedes Benz eastbound on Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park.
At about 11 p.m., as he drove about twice the 35-mile-per-hour speed limit, he t-boned a Lincoln Town Car and rear-ended a Ram pickup truck.
The impact of the crash killed three women in the town car — 66-year-old Marlene Luu, 68-year-old Hoa Ho, and 41-year-old Tu Nguyen — and injured an additional three people, a trio of men aged 72, 42, and 67.
All the crash victims were related to each other. They were driving home from a Sweet 16 party at the Inn in New Hyde Park when the crash occurred.
Lennon was arrested at the scene.
“Marlene Luu and Hoa Ho were friends from childhood, loving mothers who were cornerstones of their families. Tu Nguyen was a wife and mother to a young child,” said District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly.
“A sweet sixteen party – an exciting milestone marked by family and friends – became a nightmare for these families, who continue to struggle with the pain, grief, and loss of these beloved women. We continue to keep Marlene, Hoa, and Tu in our thoughts as this defendant is sentenced.”
In March 2024, Lennon pleaded guilty to the following:
- Aggravated vehicular homicide;
- Second-degree manslaughter, three counts;
- Second-degree assault, three counts;
- Third-degree assault, three counts; and
- Driving while intoxicated.
The Nassau County District Attorney had recommended a sentence of seven to 21 years in prison.
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