MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Freeport man was sentenced to six to 18 years in prison for charges related to a fatal crash on the Southern State Parkway in April 2016. The NCDA recommended a sentence of 8-1/3 years to 25 years in prison.
Jonathan Sobrane, 38, pleaded guilty on March 28 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Helene Gugerty to:
- Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a B felony)
- Two counts of Assault in the 2nd Degree (a D violent felony)
- Operating a Motor Vehicle while Impaired by Combined Use of Drugs or of Alcohol and any Drug or Drugs as a Felony (an E felony).
“Jonathan Sobrane, a 38-year-old adult, was high on drugs and driving like he was in a video game when he crashed and killed 22-year-old Vito Errico and injured two other young passengers,” DA Singas said. “It is unimaginable that drivers like Sobrane continue to risk the lives of their passengers and everyone else on our roads with such wildly reckless and dangerous behavior. Other reckless drivers should be on notice that Nassau County will not tolerate this threat to public safety. Like Sobrane, my office will hold you to the highest charges the law allows.”
DA Singas said that on April 17, 2016 at approximately 3:40 a.m., the defendant was driving eastbound on the Southern State Parkway in a white 2004 Acura with three passengers in the car. The group was returning from New York City. Toxicology tests revealed the defendant’s impairment by alcohol and heroin. The defendant was travelling at speeds of at least 90 mph, weaving across three lanes of traffic and driving in exit and entrance ramps to pass other motorists. As the defendant changed lanes he clipped the back of a white 2006 Toyota Highlander travelling in the same direction. The collision caused the defendant’s car to spin off the road, hit trees and uproot a light pole.
A 23-year old female passenger in the passenger seat suffered massive lacerations to her head that left her skull exposed and a fractured femur. A 21-year-old male in the backseat sustained a broken arm and finger. A 22-year old male passenger, Vito Errico, was ejected from the backseat and was found with the light pole across his chest and died as a result of his injuries. The defendant was not injured.
Sobrane was arrested at the scene by members of the New York State Police.
Assistant District Attorney Stefanie Palma of DA Singas’ Vehicular Crimes Bureau prosecuted the case. Sobrane is represented by David Haber, Esq.