Woodmere, NY — A Long Island father who was driving his 10-year-old son to school died weeks after a high-speed crash that prosecutors say was caused by an East Rockaway driver traveling more than 80 miles per hour in a residential area.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced that Brayan Romero Flores, 24, was arraigned Thursday on manslaughter and other charges stemming from the March 19 collision that killed 39-year-old Michael Kreindler. Prosecutors allege Romero Flores was driving at more than double the posted speed limit when his vehicle slammed into Kreindler’s Tesla in Woodmere.
Father Died Weeks After School-Day Crash
According to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, Kreindler was driving his son to school at approximately 7:53 a.m. on March 19.
Kreindler was traveling westbound on University Place toward Branch Boulevard in a 2023 Tesla Model 3 when the crash occurred.
Prosecutors allege Romero Flores was driving a 2019 Honda Accord northbound on Branch Boulevard at a high rate of speed when he struck Kreindler’s vehicle as the Tesla attempted to make a left turn onto Branch Boulevard.
Both vehicles sustained severe damage in the collision.
Data Recorder Allegedly Showed 81 MPH Before Impact
Kreindler suffered catastrophic injuries and was transported by Hatzolah Ambulance to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside.
His 10-year-old son was also taken to the hospital but was treated and released with minor injuries. Prosecutors said Romero Flores also suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital.
Kreindler remained hospitalized and on life support for nearly three weeks before he died on April 7.
Key Points
• Nassau prosecutors say Brayan Romero Flores was driving 81 mph one second before the fatal crash.
• Michael Kreindler died weeks after the March 19 collision while driving his son to school in Woodmere.
• Romero Flores faces manslaughter and other charges and could receive up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Investigators Cite Speed and Prior Traffic Violation
The criminal case centers on evidence recovered from the defendant’s vehicle following the crash.
According to prosecutors, a search warrant executed on the Honda Accord’s event data recorder revealed Romero Flores was allegedly traveling 81 miles per hour one second before impact.
Investigators also found that the vehicle was allegedly operating at 99% acceleration five seconds before the collision, with braking occurring only one second before impact.
Prosecutors said additional evidence came from dash camera footage recovered from the vehicle.
That footage allegedly showed Romero Flores running a red light about five minutes before the crash while traveling approximately 77 miles per hour, based on a speed indicator visible on the dashboard recording.
