Man Accused Of Manslaughter After Car Crash Kills 1 On LI: DA

LINDENHURST, NY — A Lindenhurst man has been indicted for manslaughter and other charges after a car crash that killed another man, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.

Felix Pantaleon, 22, of Lindenhurst, was indicted for second-degree manslaughter for allegedly speeding, driving erratically, and crashing into the rear of another vehicle that resulted in the death of 49-year-old Reynaldo Collado, of West Babylon, and injuries to four others, the DA said.

According to the investigation, on Sept. 22, 2024, around 10:30 p.m., Pantaleon was driving his 2014 Honda Civic at around 121 miles per hour going westbound on the Southern State Parkway in North Babylon, the DA said. The DA said he was allegedly cutting off other vehicles and weaving between lanes while recording himself on his cellphone driving dangerously.

According to the DA, Pantaleon rear-ended a 2009 Honda CRV, causing both cars to veer off the road. The CRV crashed into the woods next to the right-hand shoulder of the highway. Meanwhile, the Civic first slammed into the median barrier before careening off into the woods.

The CRV's driver, Reynaldo Collado, was pronounced dead at the scene while one of his passengers sustained serious injuries that included fractured vertebrae and pelvis and is currently residing in a rehabilitation facility for continuing medical treatment, the DA said. The three other occupants of the CRV sustained various other injuries that required medical treatment at local hospitals.

"We deserve safe roadways," Tierney said. "My office will seek to hold this defendant accountable for his alleged deadly choices and the death of Mr. Collado."

On Jan. 7, Pantaleon was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins and charged with one count of second-degree manslaughter, a Class C felony; one count of second-degree assault, a Class D felony; three counts of third-degree assault, Class A misdemeanors; one count of second-degree reckless endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor; one count of reckless driving, an unclassified misdemeanor; and traffic infractions including speeding, failure to maintain lane, and use of portable electronic devices, the DA said.

Collins ordered Pantaleon remanded without bail and his next court date is Jan. 16.

Pantaleon is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.