Freeport Man enters guilty plea for fatal drunk-driving incident

Freeport Man enters guilty plea for fatal drunk-driving incident on Babylon Turnpike.

Tyshaun Johashen, a resident of Freeport, has pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and associated charges following a tragic incident where he fatally struck a 24-year-old woman while driving under the influence. The incident occurred in March, and Johashen, 32, entered his plea before Judge Robert Bogle.

Johashen admitted guilt to the following charges: Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Assault in the Second Degree, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, and Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated.

Sentencing for the defendant is scheduled for October 13. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office (NCDA) is recommending a prison term ranging from seven to 21 years.

According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly, the incident took place on March 1, 2023, at around 7:02 p.m. The victim, identified as 24-year-old Mia Pollidore, was crossing Babylon Turnpike in a westbound direction, just south of the intersection of Babylon Turnpike and Carroll Street. At that time, Johashen was driving a 2018 Nissan Sentra southbound on Babylon Turnpike, exhibiting signs of extreme intoxication.

The collision resulted in severe head and leg injuries for the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:11 p.m.

“Mia Pollidore was simply crossing the street at 7:00 p.m. on her way to a deli when this defendant, speeding and at least three times the legal limit for alcohol, smashed his car into the 24-year-old woman,” DA Donnelly said. “At the time of the crash, Tyshaun Johashen’s license was suspended due to a pending DWI charge in Queens. Mia Pollidore had her entire life in front of her. We continue to express our condolences to the Pollidore family.”

Johashen was apprehended on-site by officers from the Nassau County and Freeport Police Departments. Subsequent investigations revealed that he was traveling at a speed of at least 60 miles per hour when the accident occurred, in a zone where the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour.

Johashen’s blood alcohol content was measured at .24, more than three hours after the crash had taken place.

At the time of the incident, Johashen’s driver’s license had been suspended due to an ongoing DWI prosecution in Queens, a case that remains pending.

The prosecution of this case is led by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Tara DePalo and Brianna Ryan from the Vehicular Crimes Bureau, while Richard Langone, Esq., is representing the defendant.