MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Hempstead man was sentenced yesterday to four months in jail, five years’ probation, a $3,000 fine and other conditions for killing a pedestrian while he was driving high on marijuana as she crossed North Franklin Avenue in Hempstead in January of 2017. The NCDA recommended the maximum sentence of 2-1/3 years to seven years in prison.
Christopher Ebron, 23, pleaded guilty before Judge Terence Murphy on June 25 to Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a D felony) and Driving While Drug-Impaired (an unclassified misdemeanor).
“After this marijuana-impaired defendant admitted to killing an innocent woman crossing the street, he outrageously posted videos of himself online smoking what appeared to be marijuana cigars,” DA Singas said. “While we are grateful for the court’s change of position and the imposition of at least some jail time, this case remains a tragic reminder that drugged driving takes lives. Ms. Neuman came to the United States from El Salvador in search of a better life – but now her family will never get her back because of this defendant’s criminal decision to get behind the wheel while high.”
DA Singas said on January 10, 2017, at approximately 6:45 am, the defendant was driving northbound on North Franklin Avenue when he struck and killed 58-year-old Ana Neuman, who was crossing the street at Jackson Avenue. Her body was thrown more than 100 feet in the air – and she ultimately died from catastrophic injuries caused by the impact.
After the crash, the defendant continued driving, with a witness following him, flashing his lights. The defendant then pulled over after a short distance, walked back to the scene, looked at Ms. Neuman’s body, returned to the car and drove away.
After fleeing, the defendant called his father who told him to go back to the scene, which he did. Upon returning, he was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department. A further investigation revealed the defendant had active THC, the main psychiatric-active ingredient in marijuana, in his blood approximately four hours after the crash.
Following his guilty plea, the Judge had promised the defendant a sentence of Probation. On the first scheduled date for sentencing, the ADAs advised the Court that the defendant had posted videos of himself on his public Instagram account, smoking what appears to be marijuana from a hand-rolled marijuana cigar and driving. The defendant was remanded, and the sentence was postponed. The NCDA again stated that the appropriate sentence for the defendant was 2-1/3 to seven years in prison; especially because of the Instagram posts.
Senior District Attorney Diana Hedayati and Assistant District Attorney Alexander DePalo of DA Singas’ Vehicular Crimes Bureau are prosecuting this case. Anthony Grandinette, Esq. represents the defendant.
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