MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Baldwin man pleaded guilty today to a fatal hit-and-run in Port Washington that left 49-year-old Donald Mooney dead in August 2014.
Cosmin Florea, 34, pleaded guilty today before Nassau County Court Judge Helene Gugerty to all charges he faced:
• Vehicular Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree (a D felony)
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident Without Reporting (a D felony)
• Two counts of Driving While Intoxicated (an unclassified misdemeanor)
• Driving While Ability Impaired by the combined use of Alcohol and Drugs (an unclassified misdemeanor)
Florea will receive the maximum sentence, 2-1/3 to seven years in prison. He is due back in court for sentencing on May 12.
“Florea was drunk and high when he struck and killed Donald Mooney, who was just crossing the street to go back to work with cups of coffee for himself and a co-worker,” Acting DA Singas said. “He fled the scene and made no effort to get help for Mr. Mooney who lay dying in the street. I hope this conviction gives some small measure of comfort to Mr. Mooney’s grieving family and friends.”
Acting DA Singas said that on Aug. 15 at 11:57 p.m., Florea was driving a 2010 Ford Fusion when he struck Mooney, 49, of Lynbrook, who was walking across Main Street west of South Bayles Avenue in Port Washington.
Florea left the scene and was later stopped in Queens by P.O. Wayne Kaifler of the New York City Police Department, who observed damage to the vehicle’s windshield. At the time of his plea of guilty, the defendant admitted having a .13 BAC and active marijuana in his blood more than three hours after the crash. Florea was arrested by the Port Washington Police Department with the assistance of Detective James DePierro of the Nassau County Police Department.
Mooney was transported to North Shore University Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Assistant District Attorney Michael Bushwack of Acting DA Singas’ Vehicular Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case. Florea is represented by Michael DerGarabedian, Esq.