Far rockaway man indicted for fatal dwi crash that killed passenger in rockville centre

Far Rockaway man indicted for fatal DWI crash that killed passenger in Rockville Centre

Posted by
1 min read
April 16, 2025

MINEOLA, N.Y. — A Far Rockaway man has been indicted for manslaughter and multiple intoxicated driving charges in connection with a September 2023 crash that killed a 23-year-old passenger in Rockville Centre, Nassau County prosecutors announced.

Samuel Gutierrez Orozco, 25, was arraigned Tuesday before Judge Joy Watson on charges including second-degree manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault, and several counts of driving while intoxicated. He was remanded and is scheduled to return to court on April 21. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

“The death of Larry Josue Orozco Torrez was completely preventable,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said. “Due to the alleged poor decisions by this defendant, a family is now without a loved one.”

According to the indictment, Gutierrez Orozco was driving southbound on Peninsula Boulevard around 10:34 p.m. on September 17, 2023, when he lost control of his vehicle while allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed. The car crossed the grassy median into oncoming lanes and struck a tree.

A Nassau County Police medic happened to be driving nearby and was alerted by another motorist to the crash. The medic found the passenger, Larry Josue Orozco Torrez, unresponsive at the scene. He was pronounced dead at approximately 10:52 p.m.

Blood tests reveal alcohol and drug use

Police officers arrived and extracted Gutierrez Orozco from the wreckage. He was taken to NYU Langone Long Island Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. A search warrant was obtained for his blood, which reportedly showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.12% approximately one hour after the crash. The toxicology report also indicated the presence of marijuana and cocaine.

Gutierrez Orozco was arrested on April 15, 2025, by Nassau County Police. He is being represented by Robert Schalk, Esq.


Key Points

  • Samuel Gutierrez Orozco indicted in fatal DWI crash that killed passenger Larry Josue Orozco Torrez
  • Crash occurred September 17, 2023, on Peninsula Boulevard in Rockville Centre
  • Defendant’s blood showed alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine; arraigned on multiple charges

The case is being prosecuted by ADA Alexandra Russell of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version