Petition Asks DA To Seek Maximum Legal Penalty For Kinalis

A petition on Change.org is seeking signatures to ask Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota to seek the maximum penalty against , the Ronkonkoma man involved in the December 10 accident that took the life of West Islip youngster John Gaffney.

Started by Glenn Montes, the petition states in part, “We, the undersigned, ask the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office to seek the strongest possible punishment, including murder, for Steven Kinalis, the person accused of causing the accident on Saturday, December 10, that resulted in the death of 5 year old John Gaffney and caused injury and harm, both physically and emotionally, to John’s 7 year old sister, 2 year old brother and his parents.”

The petition continued, “In [John’s] name, and in the name of all past and future victims of alcohol and drug related incidents we ask that you send a message that this behavior will no longer be tolerated by seeking the strongest possible punishment. That if you choose to drive while your abilities are impaired by drugs or alcohol, you will face very severe consequences.”

As of Saturday night the petition had more than 700 signatures.

John Gaffney succumbed to his injuries a day after the accident, which occurred on Sunrise Highway in Shirley. The family was reportedly on their way to purchase a Christmas tree. Neither Gaffney’s parents, his older sister and younger brother sustained life-threatening injuries.

At a this past Wednesday in Central Islip, Assistant District Attorney Tisha Burrows said Kinalis, 30, told officials that he had taken a mixture of prescription drugs that included oxycodone, Xanax, Soma and Adderall before the crash.