July 23, 2013 - Riverhead, NY - Defendant Jose Escobar of Westbury will be sentenced today, Tuesday, July 23 by Judge John Toomey in Riverhead County Court, Suffolk County DA Thomas Spota has announced.
Escobar, 30, drove his 2003 Nissan over a median when he attempted to cross Express Drive North onto Motor Parkway in Brentwood. The car went airborne and crashed into the rear of a 7-Eleven store on July 19, 2012. His pregnant companion, Maria Guillen, who Escobar had been arguing with when he lost control of the car, was seriously injured and his 10-month-old daughter he had with Ms. Guillen died of her injuries less than a week after the crash. Maria Guillen underwent an emergency C-section and gave birth to a healthy boy.
District Attorney Spota said the defendant pleaded guilty to DWI, Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a child, Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Manslaughter, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Reckless Driving and other crimes.
“This defendant was speeding and driving recklessly with a blood alcohol content of .26, over three times the .08 limit in New York State,” the DA said.
“We will recommend that he spend up to 18 years in a New York State penitentiary.”
The calendar will be called at 9:30 am. (Judge Toomey’s courtroom is on the third floor of the courthouse).