New Hyde Park Teen Charged With Vehicular Manslaughter Appears In Court
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – More than a month after a New Hyde Park teenager, who was allegedly high, slammed into the Antoine family, the youth was charged with crimes that could lock him away for 25 years.
The accident killed Sirpierre Antoine, leaving his wife and young daughter fighting for their lives.
"He was a great father, great brother, great husband, good family. Always wanted to please everyone around him," his brother, Harry Antoine, told CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan.
The Antoine family, from northern California, flew in to visit their ill mother in a Nassau County hospital.
Mere minutes after saying goodnight, Sirpierre was dead. His wife Marta and their 6-year-old daughter Soliana were critically injured when police say Deepak Kumar ran a stop sign and slammed into them.
The deadly two-vehicle accident occurred on Covert Avenue in New Hyde Park, just blocks from the suspect's home and high school, where he graduated in June with good grades.
"Sad event that took place in our town," one New Hyde Park resident told CBS 2.
"Hopefully that kid and his friends will learn something," another said.
The District Attorney claims he was driving while impaired.
Kumar's car was filled with four teenage friends, McLogan reported.
Kumar's parents are standing behind their son, who has been behind bars since the August 19 crash.
On Wednesday, the indictment was unsealed, charging the youth with aggravated vehicular manslaughter.
The judge confiscated Kumar's passport and driver's license, but did lower bail.
Kumar's bond was lowered from $750,00o to $300,000. He could be released within days, CBS 2 reported.
His attorney, Jan Goldman, says Kumar is an emotional wreck.
"The judge realized he's only 17 years old and he doesn't want to keep a 17-year-old in jail if he's going to be productive and has been accepted into college," Goldman said.
Antoine's wife Marta is being moved from Winthrop Hospital to Rusk Rehab at the NYU Medical Center to be by the side of their daughter, who is still unable to walk.
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