A Huntington Station man was arraigned Tuesday on mutiple charges, including aggravated vehicular manslaughter, in the death of another man in July.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Leo Flores-Gracias, 26, of Huntington Station, was indicted for allegedly driving while intoxicated and crashing into another vehicle, killing his own passenger, Marlon Nunez-Cuellar, 25, of Huntington Station.
According to the investigation, on July 4, at approximately 8:06 p.m., Flores-Gracias and three others left a party where he had allegedly been drinking alcohol and got into Flores-Gracias’ 2017 Honda Accord. Flores-Gracias allegedly began driving north on Sweet Hollow Road in Huntington at a high rate of speed, and crashed head on into a southbound vehicle.
Marlon Nunez-Cuellar, one of Flores-Gracias’ passengers, was taken to Plainview Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The operator of the vehicle that was struck head on, was uninjured.
When police officers arrived at the scene, they arrested Flores-Gracias.
On Tuesday, hewas arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski, for the following charges:
One count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a Class B felony;
One count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;
One count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
One count of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, an Unclassified misdemeanor;
Two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, Unclassified misdemeanors; and
One count of Reckless Driving, an Unclassified misdemeanor.
Pilewski ordered Flores-Gracias held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2.5 million partially secured bond. If convicted of the top count, Flores-Garcias faces up to 25 years in prison. He is due back in court on Oct. 5.
“This defendant’s alleged decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol caused the tragic death of Marlon Nunez-Cuellar,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will seek justice for the victim and his loved ones, as we continue the push to keep our roadways in Suffolk County safe.”