Accused driver held on $200K bail after fatal Nesconset crash that killed construction worker, injured 2 others
According to prosecutors, the crash occurred at about 6:40 a.m. Monday and involved three construction workers who were preparing for paving operations.
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A 26-year-old Suffolk County man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges stemming from a crash that killed a construction worker and seriously injured two others in Nesconset, as prosecutors indicated additional homicide charges could be forthcoming.
Thomas Lobianco, of Lake Ronkonkoma, was arraigned in Suffolk County court following the Aug. 10 crash at the intersection of Townline Road and Terry Road. He appeared wearing a 7-Eleven work shirt.
According to prosecutors, the crash occurred at about 6:40 a.m. Monday and involved three construction workers who were preparing for paving operations.
Authorities said Joel Sicon-Porix, 38, of Mastic, was taken to the hospital where pronounced dead. Two other workers, Kevin Chavez-Sarmiento, 30, of Bay Shore, and Jose Gonzalez-Colindres, 33, of Brentwood, suffered serious injuries and were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital.
Prosecutors alleged that witnesses observed Lobianco driving erratically before the collision. One witness reported seeing the defendant stopped at a green light and then drifting across the roadway. Prosecutors said the vehicle then went through a red light at a high rate of speed, crossed into the westbound lane, mounted a sidewalk, and struck the three workers.
The vehicle subsequently crashed into a traffic control device, a utility pole, a fence, and a tree, according to the prosecution.
A witness also told investigators that Lobianco appeared to be looking down at a cellphone just before the crash.
During the arraignment, prosecutors said Lobianco performed poorly on field sobriety tests, including the one-leg stand, where he allegedly showed poor balance. Authorities said he tested positive for cannabis and told investigators he had smoked marijuana around 8 p.m. the night before the crash.
A blood sample was submitted to the Medical Examiner's Office, and results are pending.
Prosecutors further alleged that witnesses observed Lobianco leaning and swaying about an hour before the crash while working a shift at a 7-Eleven store.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office asked the court to suspend Lobianco's driver's license, which the judge granted. Prosecutors said they expect the case could be upgraded to homicide-related charges pending the continuing investigation and forensic testing.
The judge set $200,000 cash and suspended Lobianco's driver's license.
He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 18.
