Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Cristian Mendoza-Baquiax, 37, of Riverhead, pleaded guilty to three counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, and other related charges, following a multi-vehicle crash on County Road 105 in Riverhead, killing his own passenger, Nelson Reyes-Muxin, 33, of Riverhead, and injuring several others.
“This defendant’s fateful decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol caused the tragic death of Nelson Reyes-Muxin and severe injuries to several other individuals,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This conviction is a reminder to all that drunk driving kills.”
According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on August 7, 2024, at approximately 6:15 p.m., the defendant was operating a white 2010 Acura MDX northbound on County Road 105 in Riverhead. Mendoza-Baquiax drove around a northbound car at a high rate of speed and into the opposite lane of travel, where he struck several vehicles. In total, seven cars were involved in the crash. A passenger in the defendant’s vehicle, Nelson Reyes- Muxin, died as a result of injuries he sustained. Another passenger also in the defendant’s vehicle sustained multiple fractures to his arm, a dislocated shoulder, and was treated at Peconic Bay Medical Center.
The driver of another vehicle involved in the crash sustained two fractured legs, a dislocated ankle, and was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital for medical treatment. In addition, two other individuals were transported to local hospitals for injuries they sustained as a result of the crash.
Mendoza-Baquiax exhibited signs of intoxication and stated that he had six beers. He was subsequently placed under arrest and consented to a blood draw upon request by police. Toxicology tested of his blood revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .21%. The defendant was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained from the crash. A sample of the defendant’s blood taken by hospital staff upon his admission was also seized pursuant to a search warrant. Subsequent toxicology testing of that sample, taken at an earlier time than the sample taken by police, revealed that he had a .25% blood alcohol content.
On March 11, 2025, Mendoza-Baquiax pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven
A. Pilewski to the following charges:
- Three counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Class B felonies
- One count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;
- Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D felonies;
- One count of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, a Class E felony; and
- Two counts of Assault in the Third Degree, Class A misdemeanors.
The defendant is due back in court for sentencing on April 15, 2025, where he is expected to be sentenced to five to 15 years imprisonment. He is being represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexander Bopp of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Michael Carrieri of the Riverhead Town Police Department.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.