Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Hicksville man was arraigned today on aggravated vehicular homicide, drunk driving, and other charges for a June 2022 high-speed crash in Hempstead that killed a 48-year-old man and seriously injured his wife.
Oscar Argueta, 36, was arraigned before Judge Robert McDonald on charges of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a B felony); Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a C felony); Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a D felony); two counts of Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony); Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree (an A misdemeanor); two counts of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol (an unclassified misdemeanor); and Reckless Driving (an unclassified misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded not guilty, and bail was continued as release to pre-trial services. He is due back in court on May 16, 2023. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison.
“This defendant was allegedly drunk when he speeded down Greenwich Street and careened into David Popoola and his wife’s car as it crossed the intersection,” said DA Donnelly. “The force of the crash sent the couple’s vehicle hurtling into a utility pole and killed David Popoola. His wife survived the crash with serious injuries. Our thoughts are with Mr. Popoola’s wife and family as we prosecute this case.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, on June 26, 2022, at approximately 1:40 a.m., the defendant was traveling northwest on Greenwich Street in Hempstead in a Dodge Durango while allegedly intoxicated and driving at a high rate of speed when he T-boned a Mercedes Benz G300 crossing the intersection on Curtis Avenue.
The victims’ vehicle struck a curb causing the car to flip into a utility pole. Forty-eight-year-old David Popoola and his wife were trapped inside of the vehicle after the collision.
Popoola was pronounced deceased at the scene. His wife was taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital with serious physical injuries and underwent emergency surgery on her wrist.
The defendant remained at the scene and was arrested by members of the Hempstead Police Department.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Alexander DePalo of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case. The defendant is represented by Dennis Lemke, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.