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 Suffolk County man accused of driving under the influence of drugs and striking three construction workers in Nesconset appeared in court Tuesday in handcuffs as prosecutors detailed the fatal crash.
Police said Thomas Lubianco allegedly struck the workers Monday morning as they were preparing to begin work along Townline Road. One of the victims, Joel Sicon-Porix, was killed. Two other workers were hospitalized with injuries.
Prosecutors told the court that witnesses saw Lubianco driving erratically before the crash. According to authorities, he allegedly ran a red light, drove eastbound in westbound lanes on Townline Road, mounted a sidewalk and hit the three workers before crashing through a fence and into a tree.
Lubianco pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the victims and their families. This is a tragic accident,” defense attorney Robert Macedonio said. “Today was the arraignment. We’ve entered a plea of not guilty. Mr. Lubianco maintains his innocence.”
Investigators said Lubianco had worked a shift at a nearby 7-Eleven before the early morning crash and later tested positive for cannabis.
Macedonio questioned the significance of the test result, noting that marijuana can remain detectable in a person’s system long after impairment has ended.
“Marijuana stays in your system for 30, 45, 60 days,” Macedonio said. “It came back positive, but I don’t know the levels or whether it’s active or inactive.”
Prosecutors indicated that the charges against Lubianco could be upgraded to homicide.
The judge suspended Lubianco’s driver’s license and ordered him held on $200,000 cash bail.
