Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Jonnathan Zhicaypincay, 19, was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison for striking two pedestrians with an SUV, killing one of them, while he was driving drunk and high on cannabis and cocaine.
“People should feel safe while walking in their neighborhood rather than fearful of losing their lives because someone decides to be irresponsible and drive drunk and high on drugs,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The surviving victim and Mr. Trujillo’s family will have to live with the aftermath of this horrible crime that occurred on Christmas day no less. That is why I will continue to petition for tougher drunk driving laws where serious injuries and deaths result.”
According to court documents and the defendant’s plea allocution, on December 25, 2021, at approximately 2:44 p.m., Zhicaypincay was driving a 2004 Honda Pilot on Union Boulevard in Islip when he struck two pedestrians that were walking in front of an apartment building. One of the pedestrians, Luis Trujillo, 67, of Central Islip, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second pedestrian was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
When police arrived at the scene, they observed Zhicaypincay had bloodshot glassy eyes, slurred speech, was unsteady on his feet, and had an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath. Zhicaypincay was transported to South Shore University Hospital where he consented to a blood test, and made oral admissions to both drinking and taking drugs. Later, while at the precinct for processing, police searched Zhicaypincay’s wallet and found a quantity of cocaine. An analysis of Zhicaypincay’s blood indicated his blood alcohol content was .13%, with evidence of recent use of cannabis and cocaine in his system as well.
On September 19, 2022, Zhicaypincay pleaded guilty before County Court Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Stephen L. Braslow, to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a Class B felony, Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, Driving While Intoxicated, an unclassified misdemeanor, and Driving While Ability Impaired by the Combined Influence of Drugs, or of Alcohol and any Drug or Drugs, an unclassified misdemeanor. Zhicaypincay was represented by Omar Almanzar, Esq.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney David Geller of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.