A funeral service will be held on Friday for one of the two teenagers who died when a wrong-way driver crashed into their car in Jericho. According to authorities, 34-year-old Amandeep Singh was driving on the wrong side of Route 106 on Wednesday night and collided with an Alfa Romeo carrying four teenagers. Singh allegedly had a blood alcohol level of 0.18, more than twice the legal limit. The teenagers were returning home after getting food following a local tennis event. A 17-year-old was driving, a 16-year-old was in the left rear seat, and the two 14-year-olds were in the front and rear right side of the vehicle, and suffered the brunt of the impact. "Probably one of the most catastrophic scenes I've witnessed in a long time," said Detective Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick. "It was almost like the car exploded, that's how quick the driver hit that car with the kids inside." The two eighth-grade students were pronounced dead on the scene. Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz were later identified as students at Roslyn High School. The victims were talented and hardworking tennis players who were part of the boys' team. "It's really hard for everyone. Once I found out and was in contact with both families, it's just heart-wrenching," said tennis coach Jay Harris. Authorities said the other two teens in the car were taken to the hospital and admitted for internal injuries. They are stable. After Singh's Dodge collided with the Alfa Romeo, the teens' car also struck a Volvo in which a woman and a teenager were riding. Those victims were treated at the scene for minor injuries, according to authorities. As a Good Samaritan helped Singh out of his crashed SUV, police say he tried to run away on foot. But he was quickly captured. "Singh was somewhat disoriented when he spoke, obviously he was very intoxicated," police said. "He said he came from a birthday party, that he thought he was in New Jersey." Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder called the double-fatal crash "horrible" and promised to enforce the law against drunk driving to "take back our streets this summer...two tragic lives were lost because someone decided to drink and drive the wrong way. We cannot allow it, we will not tolerate it here in this county." "Our hearts are with their families," said Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. "The responsible party for that accident will be brought to justice." Singh faces charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident, drunken driving, and two counts of second-degree assault. He said nothing as he left the police station. "This is a man who otherwise abides by the law, with a college degree, a law-abiding man with a job," said defense attorney James Kousouros. Hundreds of members of the community showed up at the Hempstead courthouse when Singh was charged on Thursday. He was held without bail. "They were the most perfect people and had a bright future ahead," said a friend.
Originally posted at Abogados de Accidentes
