Cops: teen killed in drunk-driving crash on Brower Avenue

A 19-year-old youth was killed in the early morning hours of May 5 after the driver of a car he was in lost control and slammed into a tree.

According to detectives, Steven Barrere, also 19, who lives on Morris Avenue, was driving his 2000 Acura south on Brower Avenue when he stuck a tree at the corner of Oxford Road shortly before 2:20 a.m. Responding officers found him and his front-seat passenger, Gerardo Alvarez-Garcia unconscious, and called the fire department for help in extricating them, and for an ambulance.

Alvarez-Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said Barrere suffered multiple injuries and was taken in critical condition to South Nassau Communities Hospital. Nassau County police report he was charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving while under the influence of alcohol. He had a bedside arraignment later on May 5. Police say the investigation is continuing.

Tom Steinert contributed to the story. Comments about it? RVCeditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.