LI Man Pleads Guilty In Drunken-Driving Crash On Northern Boulevard

LAUREL HOLLOW, NY — A Huntington Station man pleaded guilty to drunkenly causing a crash on Northern Boulevard that critically injured a second driver last summer.

Rafael Melara, 37, on Monday pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges, including aggravated vehicular assault and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Melara faces five to nine years in prison when he's sentenced on Sept. 28.

His charges stem from a drunken-driving incident in Laurel Hollow on July 19, 2021.

Prosecutors say Melara was attempting to navigate a bend on eastbound Northern Boulevard, near Moores Hill Road, when he lost control of his 2017 Nissan Rogue. The SUV crossed over the double-yellow line and into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with a 2013 Honda Civic. Both cars then struck a bus traveling west along Northern Boulevard.

The bus driver was uninjured in the crash, but the driver of the Honda Civic suffered life-threatening injuries, including internal bleeding, according to officials.

"Driving in broad daylight on a stretch of winding road with nearly three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system, Melara slammed head-on into oncoming traffic, striking a car and a bus traveling without passengers," said Nassau District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly. "The victim in the car suffered significant injuries that required an airlift and emergency surgery to save his life. We are thankful that the victim in this case was able to make a full recovery."

Melara was arrested at the scene by members of the Nassau County Police Department Highway Patrol Bureau and the Oyster Bay Cove Police Department. He was taken to Huntington Hospital for evaluation after his arrest.

Alan Schwartz and Scott Migden of The Law Offices of Alan J. Schwartz, P.C. [AJSLAW] in Garden City represented Melara.

"Both Mr. Melara and we are pleased that the other motorist made a full recovery, and that has been extremely important to us throughout the pendency of this matter," Schwartz told Patch. "Mr. Melara has been extremely remorseful throughout our handling of this matter, taken responsibility for his actions and is prepared to face the consequences."