Suffolk Man Who Crashed Into Tree, Injuring Passenger, Faces Assault Charge: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Yaphank man faces assault, vehicular assault and other charges after he was involved in a car crash that seriously injured his passenger in April, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said on Tuesday.

Andy Bonilla Chicas, 21, struck a tree along the eastbound Sunrise Highway Service Road while driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs, Tierney said.

"Drivers who are caught operating on our roads under the influence of alcohol and drugs will be held accountable for their reckless actions," Tierney said in a news release. "Suffolk's streets must be kept safe."

Around 3:25 a.m. April 27, Bonilla Chicas was driving a 2016 BMW 340i eastbound on the Sunrise Highway Service Road at a high rate of speed when he drove off of the road, prosecutors said. The BMW went airborne and hit a tree before landing into an embankment, investigators said.

The impact on the tree caused the front passenger of the BMW to be thrust to the back of the vehicle, authorities said. The passenger was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery for her injuries, officials said.

Bonilla Chicas was determined to be intoxicated and placed under arrest, prosecutors said. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment for minor injuries, the DA said.

On Tuesday, Bonilla Chicas was arraigned on charges of one count of second-degree assault; one count of second-degree vehicular assault; two counts of driving while intoxicated; one count of driving while ability impaired by combined influence of alcohol and a drug or drugs; one count of reckless driving; and one count of speeding, the DA said.

Bonilla Chicas was ordered placed on supervised release with GPS conditions and alcohol and narcotics conditions. A judge suspended his license while his case pends. Bonilla Chicas was also ordered to surrender his passport.

Bonilla Chicas is due back in court on Aug. 21 and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Edward Palermo.