NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A Queens man was sentenced to prison time Wednesday after injuring four people in a drunk driving crash in 2020, prosecutors said.
Jesus Lugo Santana, 51, was driving a black Nissan on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset and the victims were heading eastbound on March 20 at around 8:30 p.m. when Santana lost control of the car.
Santana crossed the double yellow line and crashed into the victim's car when he was going 71 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone, prosecutors said.
Santana was trapped inside his car and had a nearly empty bottle of rum near him, according to the investigation.
All four victims were taken to Northwell Health.
Santana was taken to NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island and had a blood alcohol content of .27%, which is above the legal limit.
Three of the victims are going through physical therapy and one remains wheelchair-bound, prosecutors said.
Santana has been sentenced to six to 12 years in prison, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced.
"This defendant was speeding and highly intoxicated when he slammed head-on into oncoming traffic, seriously injuring four victims," Donnelly said.
Santana pleaded guilty on April 18, to charges including aggravated vehicular assault, assault in the second degree, and driving while intoxicated.
