SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. – A Lindenhurst man has admitted driving approximately 121 mph on the Southern State Parkway, weaving through traffic and recording himself on his cellphone before crashing into another vehicle and killing a West Babylon man.
Felix Pantaleon, 24, pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree manslaughter and related charges in the September 2024 crash that killed 49-year-old Reynaldo Collado and injured four other people, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
- Vehicle data showed Pantaleon’s Honda Civic traveling approximately 121 mph before the crash, prosecutors said.
- Pantaleon admitted weaving between lanes before slamming into the rear of Collado’s Honda CR-V.
- He is expected to receive a sentence of four to 12 years in prison when he returns to court Oct. 23.
“Vehicles become lethal weapons in the hands of those who treat them like toys,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.
Prosecutors Say Pantaleon Was Driving 121 MPH
The fatal crash happened at approximately 10:30 p.m. Sept. 22, 2024, as Pantaleon drove a 2014 Honda Civic westbound on the Southern State Parkway in North Babylon.
According to court records and Pantaleon’s admissions during his guilty plea, he was speeding, cutting off other motorists and weaving between lanes.
Data recovered from the Civic’s Event Data Recorder showed the car traveling approximately 121 mph, prosecutors said.
Pantaleon eventually crashed into the rear of a 2009 Honda CR-V driven by Collado.
The force of the collision sent both vehicles off the roadway.
Collado’s CR-V traveled into the woods along the right shoulder. Pantaleon’s Civic first slammed into the median barrier before also careening into the woods.
Collado was pronounced dead at the scene.
“This defendant’s egregious actions killed another innocent driver,” Tierney said.
Four Passengers Were Injured in Crash
Four people riding in Collado’s CR-V were also injured.
One passenger suffered serious injuries, including fractures to the vertebrae and pelvis, and required treatment at a rehabilitation facility.
Three other occupants suffered injuries requiring treatment at local hospitals, according to prosecutors.
Investigators also uncovered evidence showing what Pantaleon had been doing shortly before the collision.
Prosecutors said Pantaleon used his cellphone to record himself driving in the same dangerous manner that ultimately led to the fatal crash.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office did not disclose whether that recording was still underway at the exact moment Pantaleon struck Collado’s vehicle.
Pantaleon Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter and Assault
Pantaleon appeared Thursday before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski and pleaded guilty to six charges.
They include one count of second-degree manslaughter, a Class C felony, and one count of second-degree assault, a Class D felony.
He also pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree assault and one count of reckless driving.
Unlike an unresolved criminal case in which charges remain allegations, Pantaleon has now admitted his criminal responsibility through his guilty pleas.
The case was investigated by the New York State Police and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Rosenheck of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.
Four to 12 Years in Prison Expected
Pantaleon is scheduled to return to court Oct. 23.
Prosecutors said he is expected to receive a prison sentence of four to 12 years.
He is represented by attorney Vincent Bianco.
The guilty plea comes nearly two years after Collado was killed on one of Long Island’s busiest highways.
What began with Pantaleon speeding and weaving through traffic ended with two vehicles in the woods, four injured passengers and a 49-year-old driver dead at the scene.
Felix Pantaleon admitted driving approximately 121 mph before the crash.
Prosecutors said the speed was established through the Honda Civic’s Event Data Recorder and Pantaleon’s admissions during his guilty plea.
Reynaldo Collado was killed and four passengers were injured.
One passenger suffered fractured vertebrae and a fractured pelvis, while three others required treatment at local hospitals.
Pantaleon is expected to serve four to 12 years in prison.
He is scheduled to return to court Oct. 23 for sentencing after pleading guilty to manslaughter, assault and reckless driving charges.
Sources: Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office; court records and guilty plea admissions cited by prosecutors.
Police Blotter
Woman targeted from behind in botched Queens necklace robbery
Shore News Network
Police Blotter
15-year-old charged after gunfire erupts twice on Utica streets
Shore News Network
Police Blotter
NYPD traffic agent punched in face while writing Bronx parking ticket
Shore News Network
Lottery Results
Woman targeted from behind in botched Queens necklace robbery
