(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the guilty plea of Jonnathan Zhicaypincay yesterday to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide after he struck two pedestrians with an SUV, killing one of them, while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
“This defendant has admitted that he was drunk and high when he horrifically ran over two innocent victims,” said District Attorney Tierney. “While this admission of guilt cannot bring back Mr. Trujillo nor fully undo the damage he caused the other victim, we were able to get a small measure of justice for both of them and now he faces prison time.”
Zhicaypincay, 19, also pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Driving While Intoxicated and Driving While Ability Impaired by the Combined Influence of Drugs, or Alcohol and Drugs.
According to court documents and the defendant’s statements, on December 25, 2021, at approximately 2:44 p.m., the defendant struck two pedestrians walking in front of an apartment building at 2455 Union Avenue in Islip with a 2004 Honda Pilot.
One of the pedestrians, Luis Trujillo, 67, of Central Islip, was pronounced dead at the scene, the second pedestrian was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
When police arrived to the scene, they observed that Zhicaypincay had bloodshot glassy eyes, slurred speech, was unsteady on his feet and had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath.
Zhicaypincay was transported to Southside hospital where he consented to a blood test and made oral admissions to both drinking and taking drugs. While at the precinct for processing and during a search, a quantity of cocaine was recovered from his wallet. An analysis of Zhicaypincay’s blood indicated his blood alcohol content was .13%. with evidence of recent use of cannabis and cocaine in his system as well.
This case was heard before the Honorable Stephen Braslow. He is due back in court for sentencing on November 17, 2022 and he is being represented by Omar Almanzar, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney David Geller of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.