Bellmore Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Vehicular Assault for Serious Long Beach Crash
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Bellmore man pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated vehicular assault and other charges for driving while intoxicated in July 2021 and striking several cars and a pedestrian, causing the man debilitating physical injuries.
Robert O’Brien, 28, pleaded guilty Monday before Judge Teresa Corrigan to Aggravated Vehicular Assault (a C felony); Driving While Intoxicated (an E felony); Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Serious Physical Injury (an E felony); and Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony).
The defendant is due back in court on March 20, 2024, where he is expected to receive a sentence of 4 to 12 years in prison. NCDA recommended a sentence of 6 to 15 years in prison.
“When Robert O’Brien made the selfish choice to drink and drive, he also changed a Long Beach man’s life and the lives of his family members forever,” said DA Donnelly. “O’Brien’s victim loved to swim at the beach. He loved to play baseball in a local 48 and over league. He was looking forward to being an active new grandfather. But after he was run down by this defendant, the victim spent months in the hospital recovering from his injuries. Sadly, he lost his right leg and can no longer enjoy the retirement of his dreams. The defendant’s reckless actions caused this family so much suffering, and now O’Brien is being held accountable for his crimes.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, on July 16, 2021, at approximately 7:58 p.m. at E Park Avenue and Neptune Boulevard in Long Beach, the defendant, driving while intoxicated after a day of drinking at a local bar, was driving a 2011 Chrysler 300 with two passengers.
The defendant side-swiped a vehicle that was stopped at a red light and continued driving away from the scene, running a red light, striking another vehicle and losing control of his car a short distance away.
The defendant then struck a tree, a pole, several other parked vehicles, and a 70-year-old pedestrian in front of a deli on E Park Ave who was picking up dinner for his family.
The pedestrian suffered serious physical injuries which left the man in a medically induced coma for more than two months, and subsequently having to undergo several surgeries, including the amputation of his right leg.
The defendant surrendered to members of the Long Beach Police Department on July 18, 2021.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Katie Zizza of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau. O’Brien is represented by Marc Gann, Esq.