MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced the guilty plea of Juan De Leon Collado, 30, of Freeport, for his role in a fatal drunk driving incident. The crash occurred on November 6, 2022, on Sunrise Highway, Massapequa Park.
Collado, who was intoxicated and driving the wrong way, collided with an oncoming vehicle, resulting in the deaths of two men and severe injuries to another. He pleaded guilty to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Assault in the Second Degree, and Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated.
On the night of the incident, Collado was driving a 2003 Honda CRV with his cousin, Amaury Ramirez Lora, 29, as a passenger. The crash led to extensive damage to both vehicles involved.
Berardino Jr., a passenger in the victim vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver suffered significant injuries. Lora succumbed to his injuries two weeks later.
Collado is expected to receive a prison sentence ranging from 7 to 21 years on January 29, 2024. DA Donnelly highlighted the irreversible consequences of driving under the influence and asked residents to refrain from such behavior.