MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Freeport man was sentenced last week to five years in prison and two years of post-release supervision for a December 2017 crash that nearly took the lives of several people.
Kelvin O’Neal, 44, pled guilty before Judge William O’Brien on March 21 to two counts of Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony), two counts of Assault in the Third Degree (an A misdemeanor) and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Physical Injury (an unclassified misdemeanor).
“This defendant drove at outrageous speeds, crashed into innocent victims causing horrific injuries, and then fled the scene,” DA Singas said. “I’m grateful to the Nassau County Police Department for tracking down this menace and to our prosecutors for bringing him to justice.”
DA Singas said that on December 30, 2017, at approximately 2:30 am, the defendant was driving a black Mercedes at a high rate of speed eastbound on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown when he sped through a red light at the intersection of Wantagh Avenue and crashed into three vehicles.
The defendant’s vehicle first struck the driver’s side of a pickup truck, causing it to overturn and ultimately explode into flames. The male driver of that vehicle suffered life-threatening injuries, including broken ribs, pulmonary contusions, and a brain bleed. His treatment included a medically-induced coma and he continues to suffer from his injuries today. The passenger of that vehicle suffered a broken collar bone and fractures to her ankle and foot, resulting in early-onset arthritis.
After striking the truck, the defendant’s vehicle then hit a Jeep, causing physical injuries to the driver and passenger. The defendant also crashed into a third vehicle, causing damage to the vehicle, but did not injure that driver.
After the crash the defendant fled the scene.
Following an investigation, the defendant was arrested on May 22, 2018, by members of the Nassau County Police Department.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher Casa and Assistant District Attorney Melissa Salsone of DA Singas’ Vehicular Crimes Bureau are prosecuting this case. Raymond Baierlein, Esq. represents the defendant.
###