An 18-year-old man from Moriches was indicted Wednesday for allegedly driving drunk and causing a single-car crash in East Hampton that killed a 19-year-old passenger and seriously injured another, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced.
Luis Gonzalo Barrionuevo Fuertes was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and 16 other offenses in connection with the June 15 crash, which occurred on Old Stone Highway around 7:39 p.m. Authorities say he had been drinking at the beach with a group of young people, aged 15 to 19, before getting behind the wheel of a 2009 Toyota Camry with seven people in the car.
According to the investigation, Barrionuevo Fuertes was traveling at a high rate of speed when he crossed into the opposite lane, nearly hit another vehicle, and then veered off the road, crashing into a tree. The impact caused the car to roll onto its side.
Scarleth Samaniego-Urgiles, 19, of East Hampton, was killed in the crash. Another rear seat passenger suffered a spinal fracture and severe hand injuries resulting in permanent disfigurement. Police said Barrionuevo Fuertes showed signs of intoxication and was arrested at the scene.
He was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski on charges including:
- Aggravated vehicular homicide (Class B felony)
- Manslaughter in the second degree (Class C felony)
- Aggravated vehicular assault (Class C felony)
- Vehicular manslaughter in the second degree (Class C felony)
- Assault in the second degree (two counts, Class D violent felonies)
- Vehicular assault in the first degree (Class D felony)
- Vehicular assault in the second degree (two counts, Class E felonies)
- Aggravated DWI (Class E felony)
- DWI (two counts, misdemeanors)
- Assault in the third degree (three counts, misdemeanors)
- Reckless endangerment in the second degree (misdemeanor)
- Endangering the welfare of a child (misdemeanor)
- Reckless driving (misdemeanor)
- Speeding (traffic infraction)
Justice Pilewski set bail at $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, or $5 million partially secured bond, and suspended Barrionuevo Fuertes’ license. He is scheduled to appear in court again on August 19. If convicted on the top count, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
