Crime & Safety
Wyandanch Man Indicted In Drunk Driving Crash That Killed Brother: DA
The man was driving with his brother when he crossed over the double-yellow lines and crashed into another car head-on, the DA says.
WYANDANCH, NY — A Wyandanch man was indicted on Thursday, for allegedly driving while intoxicated and causing a head-on collision that killed his own passenger and brother, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said.
On July 16, at about 12:27 a.m., Carlos Sanchez-Benitez, 44, left a deli where he had allegedly been drinking alcohol, according to the investigation.
While he was allegedly driving a 2016 Honda CRV westbound on Long Island Avenue in f
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The collision was captured on video surveillance from a nearby business.
The driver and passenger of that vehicle that was hit head-on were transported to local hospitals
and treated for their injuries.
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The Sanchez-Benitez's brother and front seat passenger, Jose Ruben Sanchez-Benitez, was taken
to South Shore University Hospital where he was pronounced dead from injuries he sustained in
the crash, police said.
"This defendant made the horrible decision to allegedly drive while intoxicated, causing the tragic
collision with another vehicle, killing his brother and seriously injuring other motorists," said
Tierney. "We continue to see these preventable tragedies time and time again. I will continue my push for tougher penalties for those that decide to drive irresponsibly in Suffolk County."
On Thursday, Sanchez-Benitez was arraigned on the indictment before County Court Judge,
the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski, for the following charges:
- One count of aggravated vehicular homicide
- One count of second-degree manslaughter
- One count of aggravated vehicular assault
- One count of second-degree vehicular manslaughter
- One count of second-degree assault
- One count of second-degree vehicular assault
- One count of third-degree assault
- Two counts of driving while intoxicated
- One count of reckless driving
Judge Pilewski ordered Sanchez-Benitez held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $1 million
partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.
Sanchez-Benitez is due back in court on Oct. 17
Patch reached out to Anthony Rutkowski, Sanchez-Benitez's attorney, for comment.
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