Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Freeport man was sentenced today to six to 18 years in prison for killing three family members and injuring three others during a drunken high-speed crash in May 2022 in New Hyde Park.
Dante Lennon, 23, pleaded guilty March 5, 2024, before Judge Tammy Robbins to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a B felony); three counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a C felony); three counts of Assault in the Second Degree (a D felony); three counts of Assault in the Third Degree (an A misdemeanor); and Driving While Intoxicated (an Unclassified misdemeanor).
The defendant was sentenced today to six to 18 years in prison. The NCDA recommended a sentence of seven to 21 years in prison.
“Marlene Luu and Hoa Ho were friends from childhood, loving mothers who were cornerstones of their families. Tu Nguyen was a wife and mother to a young child. They were tragically taken from their loved ones when Dante Lennon sped down Jericho Turnpike drunk and slammed into their Town Car killing them and injuring three other passengers,” said DA Donnelly. “A sweet sixteen party – an exciting milestone marked by family and friends – became a nightmare for these families, who continue to struggle with the pain, grief, and loss of these beloved women. We continue to keep Marlene, Hoa, and Tu in our thoughts as this defendant is sentenced.”
DA Donnelly said that on May 21, 2022, at approximately 11:08 p.m., the defendant was driving a Mercedes Benz at a high rate of speed, approximately twice the 35-mile-per-hour speed limit, and while intoxicated on Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park.
The defendant was driving eastbound when he broadsided a Lincoln Town Car and rear-ended a parked Ram pickup truck. The force of the impact killed Marlene Luu, 66; Hoa Ho, 68; and Tu Nguyen, 41. The crash also injured three men in the car, ages 72, 42, and 67.
The occupants of the car, all of whom were relatives, were leaving a Sweet 16 party at the Inn in New Hyde Park.
The defendant was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department at the scene.
Deputy Bureau Chief Katie Zizza and Assistant District Attorney Nicole Vota of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau are prosecuting this case under the supervision of Bureau Chief Michael Bushwack and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Kevin Higgins. The defendant is represented by Robert Schalk, Esq.