Drunk Driver From Roosevelt Sentenced For Vehicular Homicide
A man from Roosevelt, involved in a horrific car accident while under the influence of alcohol in 2023, has been issued a prison sentence of seven to 21 years. 26-year-old Reginald Nash admitted his guilt to aggressive vehicular homicide and second-degree assault charges in Queens County Court back in May. This court case was a consequence of a devastating early morning car crash that occurred on the Long Island Expressway (LIE) in November of 2023. The pronouncement of Nash’s sentence was made by Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis on a Wednesday in Queens County Court.
Nash was driving eastward near exit 16 in Long Island City when his vehicle collided with a highway barrier. This set off a chain of events that led to his car spinning uncontrollably and sparking a collision involving three vehicles. Tragically, Nash’s decision to drive after consuming alcohol served as the catalyst for this calamitous event. The key message here serves to caution everyone about the dire consequences that can result from impulsive, reckless decisions, especially when under the influence, as in Nash’s case.
One fatal victim of this accident was 23-year-old Cameron Mency, a passenger in Nash’s car. She was thrown a shocking 90 feet from the vehicle, resulting in her untimely death, as reported by the Queens prosecutor’s office. Not only was a promising young life lost, but the remaining passengers also had to endure grave injuries. Among these survivors, one woman continues to struggle with a fractured tibia, her mobility not fully recovered to this day.
The remaining two passengers in Nash’s car also suffered severe injuries. In contrast, the drivers operating the other two cars involved in the accident did not endure significant injury. It is critical, therefore, to highlight the responsibility of Nash in this incident, as the driver who was under the influence.
Incriminating evidence came from investigations on Nash’s blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the crash. Test results indicated that it was .12 percent, surpassing the legal limit of .08 percent. Furthermore, data from Nash’s vehicle’s black box offered crucial insight into the driving conditions. It showed that Nash had been speeding at a highly dangerous 89 mph mere seconds before the unfortunate collision.
The incident took the life of Cameron Mency, who was just coming into her own at the age of 23. Born and raised in Hempstead, Mency was employed in both Plainview and Lindenhurst. She was not only greatly admired for her commitment to work, but also extolled for her exceptional singing talents. She was a passionate singer, adding to the magnitude of the loss caused by the accident.
A civil lawsuit has ensued post this incident, initiated by the victim’s family. Mency’s family is seeking justice and compensation for their irreplaceable loss. The lawsuit has targeted not just Nash, who was already sentenced, but also the other drivers involved and an establishment in the Flatiron District. The allegation against the bar is that they negligibly continued to serve Nash alcohol on the unfortunate night of the accident, contributing to the tragic chain of events that followed.
