MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Valley Stream man pleaded guilty today to the top count of manslaughter for a high-speed chase and ramming that ended in a fatal crash.
Dana King, Jr., 24, pleaded guilty before Judge Fran Ricigliano to manslaughter in the second degree (a C felony) and assault in the second degree (a D violent felony). The defendant is expected to be sentenced to five to 12 years in prison and three years’ post-release supervision on January 27 and his license revoked.
“Dana King’s jealousy turned criminal as he recklessly drove at grossly excessive speeds and chasing the car containing his ex-girlfriend,” DA Singas said. “The crash he caused senselessly killed 22-year-old Jim Hayes and seriously injured Isabel Rodriguez. We continue to send our condolences to both families”.
DA Singas said that on March 19 at 11:30 p.m., the victim, 22-year-old Jim Hayes, Jr., picked up Isabel Rodriguez from her Valley Stream home in a lime green 2007 BMW. About a block from the house, the woman noticed her ex-boyfriend, the defendant, driving a black 2009 Audi behind them. The defendant then began to chase their vehicle at a high rate of speed from Valley Stream to Hempstead, at times making contact with the BMW.
While on Baldwin Avenue in Hempstead, the defendant’s vehicle struck the Audi, causing it to become airborne and crash into a tree. The force of the crash caused the defendant’s vehicle to continue out-of-control, crashing into two parked cars, spinning, and ultimately coming to rest several hundred feet from the initial area of impact.
The impact killed Hayes, who was pronounced dead at the scene and caused serious injury to Rodriguez, who was transported to Nassau University Medical Center where she was treated for a broken arm and broken back.
Deputy Bureau Chief Katie Zizza and Senior Assistant District Attorney Tara DePalo of DA Singas’ Vehicular Crimes Bureau are prosecuting this case. Michael DerGarabedian, Esq. represents the defendant.
###