Suffolk DA: Wyandanch Man Indicted For Drunk Driving Crash That Killed His Brother
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Carlos Sanchez-Benitez, 44, of Wyandanch, was indicted for Aggravated Vehicular Homicide and other related charges, for allegedly driving while intoxicated and causing a head-on collision that killed his own passenger and brother, Jose Ruben Sanchez-Benitez, 62, of Wyandanch, and seriously injuring two others in a separate vehicle.
“This defendant made the horrible decision to allegedly drive while intoxicated, causing the tragic collision with another vehicle, killing his brother and seriously injuring other motorists,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We continue to see these preventable tragedies time and time again. I will continue my push for tougher penalties for those that decide to drive irresponsibly in Suffolk County.”
According to the investigation, on July 16, 2023, at approximately 12:27 a.m., Carlos Sanchez-Benitez left a deli where he had allegedly been drinking alcohol. While he was allegedly driving 2016 Honda CRV westbound on Long Island Avenue in Wyandanch, he crossed over the double-yellow lines into the oncoming eastbound traffic, and collided head-on with another vehicle. The collision was captured on video surveillance from a nearby business.
The driver and passenger of that vehicle that was hit head-on were transported to local hospitals and treated for their injuries.
The defendant’s brother and front seat passenger, Jose Ruben Sanchez-Benitez, was transported to South Shore University Hospital where he was pronounced dead from injuries he sustained in the crash.
On October 5, 2023, Sanchez-Benitez was arraigned on the indictment before County Court Judge, the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski, for the following charges:
- One count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a Class B felony;
- One count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;
- One count of Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a Class C felony;
- One count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
- One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
- One count of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, a Class E felony
- One count of Assault in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
- Two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, Unclassified misdemeanors; and
- One count of Reckless Driving, an Unclassified misdemeanor.
Judge Pilewski ordered Sanchez-Benitez held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Sanchez-Benitez is due back in court on October 17, 2023, and he is being represented by Anthony Rutkowski, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James Curtin of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Timothy Cohen of the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Squad.
Please find video attached below associated with this indictment.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.