"Nassau DA Secures 7-21 Year Sentence for Fatal Drunken Driving Crash Claiming Two Lives"

In a significant legal outcome, a resident of Freeport has received a sentencing of up to 21 years in prison, as declared by prosecutors in Mineola, NY. The verdict stems from his involvement in a tragic wrong-way drunken driving collision back in 2022, which claimed the lives of two individuals. The sentencing underscores the severity of the incident and serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving.

Juan De Leon Collado, aged 30, entered a guilty plea in November to charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree assault, and aggravated driving while intoxicated. The culmination of his legal proceedings occurred on Monday, resulting in a sentencing range of seven to 21 years in prison. This verdict reflects the gravity of the offenses committed, as the legal system seeks to mete out justice for aggravated vehicular homicide and related charges stemming from the tragic incident.

In a damning statement, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly conveyed the severe consequences of Juan De Leon Collado's actions, asserting, "The moment he turned the key to his car, Juan De Leon Collado condemned two innocent men to die." The narrative unfolds with Collado having consumed alcohol extensively at a sports bar in Farmingdale, setting the stage for a tragic sequence of events. Despite his inebriation, Collado chose to get behind the wheel and navigate the roadways, ultimately careening down Sunrise Highway directly into oncoming traffic.

According to the charges filed, the incident occurred on November 6, 2022, at around 4:23 a.m. Collado, operating a 2003 Honda CRV, was observed driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of Sunrise Highway in Massapequa Park, situated near Park Boulevard. The circumstances were exacerbated by Collado's reckless behavior, characterized by both excessive speed and intoxication. Tragically, his cousin, Amaury Ramirez Lora, aged 29, occupied the front passenger seat during this ill-fated journey, further underscoring the human toll of Collado's decision to drive under the influence.

Continuing his perilous trajectory, Juan De Leon Collado persisted in driving in the wrong direction on Sunrise Highway for about half a mile. The catastrophic culmination transpired when he collided head-on with a 2022 Honda Civic driven by a 28-year-old man, with 24-year-old Nicholas Berardino Jr. as a passenger. The impact of the crash resulted in the tragic loss of both Berardino and Collado's cousin, Amaury Ramirez Lora, emphasizing the devastating and irreversible consequences of Collado's reckless actions on that fateful November 6, 2022 morning.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly emphasized the alarming prevalence of drunk driving on Long Island, characterizing it as reaching epidemic levels. She asserted the commitment of the NCDA to prosecute such cases rigorously, aiming to impart a stern reminder to drivers everywhere: "Drunk driving costs lives." The statement underscores the urgent need for stringent legal actions and public awareness to address the serious consequences associated with impaired driving.

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