Teen driver in fatal Smithtown crash faces charges

A Smithtown 17-year-old is facing felony charges for a Halloween car crash that killed three young people. Steven Badke Jr. surrendered Tuesday morning, nearly five months after the fatal car crash.

News 12 Staff

Mar 25, 2008, 11:23 PM

Updated 6,058 days ago

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A Smithtown 17-year-old is facing felony charges for a Halloween car crash that killed three young people.
Steven Badke Jr. surrendered Tuesday morning, nearly five months after the fatal car crash. He was indicted by a grand jury and faces a slew of charges including criminally negligent homicide, assault, reckless driving and speeding.
Investigators say Badke was at the wheel when he lost control of his vehicle on Jericho Turnpike and slammed head-on into a minivan. His two passengers, Michael Weston and Daniel DiStefano, both 17, were killed in the crash. A passenger in the minivan, 13-year-old John Aruanno, was also killed.
The speed limit on that stretch of road east of Old Willet?s Path in Smithtown is 55 mph. However, the district attorney?s office says the morning of the accident, Badke was driving at least 82 mph.
Badke is due back in court next month. He was released on $50,000 bond. The judge suspended Badke?s driving privileges, though his attorney says the teen hasn?t been driving since the accident.
Thirdperson dies as result of Smithtown crash2teens killed, 1 critical in Smithtown car crash