Levittown Man Gets Prison for Fatal Drunken Crash

A Levittown man will serve time in prison for a drunken crash on the Northern State Parkway that killed his passenger last summer, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Brian Friedrichs, 23, of Levittown, was sentenced Thursday to spend between four and 12 years in prison by Judge Alan Honorof, the DA said. Friedrichs pleaded guilty in April to second-degree manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.

“Once again, a wildly reckless and drunk driver tragically stole the life of his passenger while risking the lives of innocent residents of Nassau County,” Acting DA Madeline Singas said in a statement. “Friedrichs was drunk and driving 120 mph when he lost control, which should be considered more than simple ‘recklessness’ under the law. Aggravated Vehicular Homicide must be expanded to include gravely risky behavior like this.”

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Friedrichs was drunk at the wheel on the Northern State Parkway on July 22, 2014 when he lost control of his car near Post Avenue, officials said. The gray Mazda, which was traveling west at more than 120 mph, flipped several times and struck a wall on the shoulder, the DA said.

Friedrichs’ passenger, Christopher Gallina, 23, also of Levittown, was ejected from the car and may have been struck by another vehicle, New York State Police said at the time. Gallina was rushed to Winthrop University Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later, cops said.

Friedrichs had a blood alcohol content of .14 after the crash, cops said.

The crash may pave the way for new laws that would increase the penalty for fatal DWI crashes, according to the DA. In the coming weeks, Singas plans to introduce legislation that would add a subsection to the aggravated vehicular homicide law and make it a B felony.

Photo: Brian Friedrichs. Credit: NYS Police