Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Lindenhurst man was arraigned today on manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, and other charges for a drunken, high-speed crash in February that killed a 22-year-old man.
Aaron Cooper, 26, was arraigned today before Judge Christopher Quinn on charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a C felony); Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a D felony); Assault in the Second Degree (a D felony); Driving While Intoxicated Per Se (an unclassified misdemeanor); Driving While Intoxicated (an unclassified misdemeanor); Reckless Driving (an unclassified misdemeanor); and Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree (an A misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded not guilty, and bail was continued at $200,000 cash, $400,000 bond, and $1 million partially secured bond. The defendant’s license remains suspended. If convicted of the top count, the defendant faces a potential maximum of five to 15 years in prison. He is due back in court on May 30, 2024.
“The defendant – a former NYPD officer – was allegedly drunk and showing off his turbocharged sports car, recklessly racing up and down Rosedale Road at speeds toping 100 miles per hour. The joyride turned deadly when the driver lost control of the vehicle and barreled through a utility pole and tree, killing his young passenger Pablo Rivera,” DA Donnelly said. “After suffering injuries in the crash, the defendant was taken to the hospital where witnesses say he allegedly identified himself to police as an NYPD officer, despite his termination in 2023. This horrific crash and senseless death were completely preventable. It is disheartening that after all these years of education about drunk and drugged driving this type of crash is still an all too regular occurrence.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the indictment and investigation, on February 10, 2024, at approximately 4:27 a.m., the defendant, a member of the Marine Corps Reserve and a former member of the NYPD, was driving a 2023 Toyota Supra back and forth on Rosedale Road in Valley Stream with 22-year-old Pablo Rivera in the front passenger seat.
The defendant allegedly crossed the double yellow line and drove westbound in the eastbound lanes when he struck a utility pole and a tree before coming to rest on the hood of a car in the front yard of a home on Rosedale Road.
According to the crash data recorder, just two seconds before the crash the defendant was allegedly driving at approximately 109 mph.
Pablo Rivera was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The defendant was taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital for treatment of his injuries, which included several broken ribs.
At the hospital, the defendant allegedly told detectives that he was currently a police officer in the 17th Precinct in New York City. The defendant had been terminated from his employment with the NYPD in January 2023.
Blood taken from the defendant at the hospital revealed a blood alcohol content of .16% approximately one hour after the crash.
The defendant was arrested at the scene by members of the Nassau County Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Brianna Ryan and Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Carra of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau. The defendant is represented by Richard Hochhauser, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.