Coram, NY - April 13, 2016 - A 59 year old Coram man was sentenced to up to 13 years in state prison for driving while drunk and high on drugs when he caused the crash on the expressway two years ago that killed his stepfather, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.
Rafael Ortiz pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, DWI and driving while ability impaired by drugs. He waived his right to appeal.
Both Oritz, 59, and his passenger, Dominic Bottiglieri, 83, were ejected from a 2001 Toyota Camry on April 21, 2014 when the car veered off the road east of Exit 50 in Melville and hit a tree and a telephone pole. Bottiglieri was pronounced dead at the scene.
District Attorney Spota said Ortiz made statements to authorities on the night of the crash about drinking wine, beer, vodka, and taking oxycodone. The district attorney said police at the crash scene also found a pipe with marijuana residue in the defendant’s pocket.
State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho sentenced Ortiz today to an upstate correctional facility for six and one-half to 13 years.