LINDENHURST, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A man was indicted for manslaughter and other charges over a crash that killed one man and injured four others on Long Island in September, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Thursday.
According to the investigation, at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, 2024, Felix Pantaleon, 22, was allegedly driving a 2014 Honda Civic, westbound on the Southern State Parkway in North Babylon at approximately 121 miles per hour.
Pantaleon, of Lindenhurst, was allegedly cutting off other vehicles and weaving between lanes and using his cellphone to record himself operating the car in this dangerous manner.
He then allegedly hit the rear of a 2009 Honda CRV, resulting in the two motor vehicles veering off the roadway.
The CRV ultimately crashed into the woods next to the right-hand shoulder of the highway. The Civic initially slammed into the median barrier before careening off into the woods.
The driver of the CRV, Reynaldo Collado, was pronounced dead at the scene. One passenger in the CRV sustained serious injuries that included fractured vertebrae and pelvis, and currently resides in a rehabilitation facility for continuing medical treatment.
The three other passengers of the CRV sustained various other injuries that required medical treatment at local hospitals, officials said.
Pantaleon was arraigned on Jan. 7, for manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, speeding, failure to maintain lane and use of portable electronic devices.
He was remanded without bail. His next court date is Jan. 16.
"We deserve safe roadways," said District Attorney Tierney. "My office will seek to hold this defendant accountable for his alleged deadly choices and the death of Mr. Collado."
