An East Rockaway man has been indicted on manslaughter and other charges in connection with a March crash in Woodmere that claimed the life of a father who was driving his son to school, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.
Brayan Romero Flores, 24, was arraigned May 28 before Judge Howard Sturim on charges including second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, criminally negligent homicide and reckless driving. Prosecutors said Flores pleaded not guilty and was remanded. He is scheduled to return to court June 4. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
According to prosecutors, the crash occurred around 7:53 a.m. on March 19 near the intersection of University Place and Branch Boulevard in Woodmere.
Authorities said 39-year-old Michael Kreindler was driving his 10-year-old son to school in a 2023 Tesla Model 3 when Flores, allegedly traveling northbound on Branch Boulevard at a high rate of speed in a 2019 Honda Accord, struck the vehicle as Kreindler attempted to make a left turn.
Both vehicles sustained severe damage in the collision.
Kreindler was transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital with serious injuries, while his son suffered minor injuries and was later released. Flores was also treated for minor injuries and released.
Prosecutors said Kreindler remained hospitalized and on life support until April 7, when he died from his injuries.
According to the district attorney's office, data recovered from the Honda's event data recorder indicated Flores was traveling 81 miles per hour one second before impact, more than double the posted speed limit. Investigators also allege he applied the brakes only one second before the crash and was at 99 percent acceleration five seconds before impact.
Authorities said dash camera footage recovered from the vehicle allegedly showed Flores running a red light about five minutes before the crash and traveling approximately 77 miles per hour.
Flores was arrested May 28 by members of the Nassau County Police Department.
The charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
