Prosecutors say Niall Duignan had alcohol, cocaine and marijuana in his system when his van struck Patricia Pfaus
MINEOLA, NY – A 24-year-old Oceanside man has been indicted on manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter charges after prosecutors alleged he drove drunk and drug-impaired through a red light, striking a 78-year-old woman in a crosswalk who died after nearly a month on a ventilator.
Niall Duignan pleaded not guilty at his Sept. 3 arraignment before Judge Colin O’Donnell, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly’s office.
The charges stem from a June 18 crash at Weidner Avenue and Long Beach Road in Oceanside.
Prosecutors allege Duignan was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Express van and had stopped at a red light at the intersection at approximately 4:40 p.m.
Patricia Pfaus, 78, was crossing Weidner Avenue in the crosswalk when Duignan allegedly made a right turn against the red light onto Long Beach Road and struck her.
Pfaus was rushed to South Nassau Hospital with serious injuries, including facial fractures, broken ribs, a lacerated liver and a traumatic brain injury.
She remained on a ventilator for nearly a month before she was pronounced dead July 17.
Prosecutors allege Duignan was impaired by alcohol, cocaine and marijuana at the time of the crash.
A blood sample collected approximately two and a half hours after the collision showed a blood alcohol concentration of .15%, according to the indictment. A toxicology report also detected cocaine and marijuana in his system.
Duignan was arrested by Nassau County Police on the day of the crash.
The grand jury indictment charges him with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, driving while intoxicated and several other drunk and drugged driving offenses and traffic violations.
Bail was set at $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond.
Duignan is scheduled to return to court Oct. 19. Prosecutors said he faces up to five to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The charges are accusations, and Duignan is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Key Points
- Niall Duignan, 24, was indicted after allegedly striking 78-year-old Patricia Pfaus as she crossed Weidner Avenue in an Oceanside crosswalk.
- Prosecutors said a blood test taken about two and a half hours after the crash showed a .15% BAC, while toxicology testing detected cocaine and marijuana.
- Pfaus suffered severe injuries and remained on a ventilator for nearly a month before dying July 17.
