MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced today that Oscar Argueta, a 36-year-old resident of Hicksville, was arraigned on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, drunk driving, and other charges in connection with a high-speed crash that occurred in Hempstead in June 2022. The incident claimed the life of 48-year-old David Popoola and left his wife seriously injured.
According to the charges, on June 26, 2022, at approximately 1:40 AM, Argueta was driving northwest on Greenwich Street in Hempstead in a Dodge Durango while allegedly intoxicated and traveling at a high rate of speed. He T-boned a Mercedes Benz G300 crossing the intersection on Curtis Avenue, causing the victims’ vehicle to strike a curb and flip into a utility pole.
David Popoola was pronounced dead at the scene, while his wife was taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital with severe injuries, requiring emergency surgery on her wrist. Argueta remained at the scene and was arrested by members of the Hempstead Police Department.
Argueta pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released to pre-trial services. He is due back in court on May 16, 2023. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.