Police: Driver in fatal Massapequa crash charged; reached speed of 120 mph before impact
Police also say the driver had fentanyl and cocaine in his system.
The 32-year-old driver who police say caused a Massapequa crash that killed a father and two of his children has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide, among other charges.
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Police say the driver, Michael Deangelo of Lindenhurst, reached a speed of 120 mph prior to impact.
Court documents say while in police custody, Deangelo admitted to taking heroin and other drugs prior to the crash.
Police say he had fentanyl and cocaine in his system. They also say they found a needle and pipe in his car.
“We have discovered he was driving under the influence of narcotics and controlled substances,” said Detective Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick, of the Nassau County Police Department. “We’ve also determined that he was traveling, one second prior to the collision, at over 100 mph, in fact at 120.55 mph.”
Deangelo was arraigned from his hospital bed Friday afternoon while still receiving treatment for injuries he sustained in Sunday’s crash.
The crash resulted in the deaths of 10-year-old Jeremiah, 13-year-old Hannah and their father Patrice Huntley. Three other members of the same family were also injured, including 6-year-old Chantel who is in critical condition.
News 12 was told by a family member that Chantel has been taken off of a ventilator.
Chantel’s mother told News 12 that they don’t think she is going to survive.
Brienna Peoples, 18, is still in the hospital and is able to breathe on her own. David, 14, was also injured and is back home.
The victims’ mother and wife spoke to News 12 Thursday about the pain the driver has caused her.
“I just wanna say to the person that caused this accident that you have taken away my ability to ever see my children grow old,” said Tasheba Hamilton-Huntley. “You have taken away their dad for the remaining children that are there.”
Deangelo also was charged with three counts of manslaughter, two counts of DUI with drugs in his system and six counts of assault.
Police said Friday that Deangelo would face additional charges if Chantel dies.
FURTHER COVERAGE: Family of Massapequa crash victims say emotional toll is 'just overwhelming'
