A drag-racing contest between two work trucks allegedly caused a horrific accident Sunday afternoon in Syosset that claimed the life of an 86-year-old man and critically injured his 84-year-old wife. It capped off a bloody Sunday in Nassau County with three fatal accidents over a 14-hour stretch.
Nassau County Det. Lt. Kevin Smith said truck driver Everardo Nieto, 32, of the Bronx, was intoxicated and driving with “pure disregard” when he slammed head-on into the couple’s Mercedes Benz on Jericho Turnpike. A witness claims to have seen Nieto and another truck driver accelerating out of a red light just moments before the crash.
Nieto will be arraigned on aggravated vehicular homicide, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated and multiple manslaughter and assault charges. A representative from Nieto’s employer, Innovative Design Landscaping Co. in Syosset, declined to comment yesterday.
Other Long Island car crashes
Earlier Sunday, an NYPD officer was killed on Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream when he lost control of his Jeep Cherokee and hit a tree. Smith said tire marks indicated “excessive speed,” but there was “no indication of criminality.” Newsday identified the driver as Sgt. Anthony Johnson, 32, of West Babylon.
Joseph Mure, 62, of Hicksville, also lost his life Sunday when he crashed his Chevrolet Corvette into trees off South Oyster Bay Road. Smith said there was no indication of drug or alcohol use.
