(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the guilty plea of Christian Lopez, 28, who was charged with Aggravated Vehicular Homicide after slamming into a car killing a married couple.
“This defendant’s selfish and reckless actions caused the untimely death of a family. The defendant was impaired by both alcohol and fluorofentanyl when he slammed into the rear of the victims’ car at more than double the speed limit,” said Tierney. “It is outrageous conduct such as this that has lead our office to petition the legislature to increase the sanctions for criminally negligent driving that causes the deaths of innocent victims.”
According to court documents and the defendant’s statements, on October 2, 2021 at approximately 9:42 p.m., Lopez drove a 2014 Acura sedan eastbound on Second Avenue in Brentwood when he smashed into the rear of a 2004 Toyota Camry driven by Rodolfo Polanco and his passenger Soraida Polanco. The impact forced the Camry into the opposite lane where it was struck by an oncoming vehicle killing them both. A subsequent search warrant executed on the defendant’s car revealed that it was traveling 67 mph in a 30 mph zone at the time of the collision. Prior to driving, the defendant had consumed alcohol and ingested a potent analog of fentanyl. The defendant exhibited signs of impairment, made admissions to drinking alcohol and to “zoning out.” Toxicology results from a blood sample that had been taken from the defendant revealed a .05% BAC and the presence of fluorofentanyl.
In addition to pleading guilty to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a Class B Felony, Lopez also pleaded guilty to two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony and one count of Driving While Ability Impaired by Combined Influence of Alcohol and a Drug or Drugs, a Class A Misdemeanor.
This case was heard before the Honorable Supreme Court Justice Richard I Horowitz. Lopez faces 5 to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced. He is being represented by Carrie Solages, Esq., and he is due back in court for sentencing on January 26, 2023.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney David Geller of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.