Driver pleads not guilty after wrong-way crash that killed teens
NASSAU COUNTY - Amandeep Singh stared stone-faced as he pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and driving while drunk and impaired.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said there’s enormous evidence including body camera video stacked against Singh who she said tried to hide behind a dumpster after the catastrophic crash that killed 14-year-old aspiring tennis stars Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz back in May.
2 teen tennis prodigies killed in Long Island wrong-way crash
Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz, a pair of 14-year-old tennis prodigies were killed in a horrifying late-night crash allegedly caused by a wrong-way drunk driver.
"We’re here today because two teens died, and two others were injured when the vehicle they were in was struck by a 7,000-lb pickup truck being driven the wrong way at 95mph," Donnelly said.
Prosecutors said 34-year-old Singh spent the afternoon drinking at a party and other establishments. His blood alcohol content was .15. Hours after the crash, cocaine was detected in his blood, an empty bottle of tequila was found in his truck and Singh told arresting officers that he was surprised to see them because he thought he was in New Jersey.
Jericho crash: Community rallies to support victims' families
Hundreds from the Roslyn community showed up at court on Monday to support the families impacted after last week’s catastrophic crash that claimed the lives of two 14-year-old young men and injured two of their friends.
Singh’s family didn’t comment. His attorney, James Kousouros, plans to review the evidence, adding his client deserves a defense.
"This entire family extends its condolences," he said. "Everyone is hurting and is in tremendous pain."
Singh faces a maximum of 32 years in prison if convicted. He’s being held in jail and is due back in court on July 25.