Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Baldwin woman pleaded guilty today to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide and related charges for a May 2022 crash in which she was driving 96 miles per hour and while more than three times the legal limit for alcohol when she killed a 66-year-old man.
Jinaraya Khan, 33, pleaded guilty before Judge Robert Bogle to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a B felony), Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony) and Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (an unclassified misdemeanor). She is expected to be sentenced to six to 18 years in prison when she returns to court on March 27, 2024.
The NCDA recommended a sentence of seven to 21 years in prison.
“Scott Freeman was a longtime Baldwin resident who was looking forward to his retirement,” DA Donnelly said. “Tragically, Freeman never got to enjoy his golden years because this defendant drove her SUV into the victim’s car at 96 miles an hour while she was exceedingly intoxicated. Drunk, impaired and reckless driving is at crisis levels here on Long Island and this office is dedicated to holding offenders accountable. Our condolences are with Scott’s sister and many friends who continue to mourn his loss.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the indictment and investigation, on May 3, 2022, at approximately 5:16 a.m., victim Scott Freeman attempted to make a left turn in his 2011 Toyota Corolla onto Grand Avenue near his home. The 66-year-old Baldwin resident was then struck by a 2020 BMW X3 driven by Khan. The defendant was highly intoxicated and speeding northbound on Grand Avenue.
Freeman was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The defendant remained at the scene and was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department. She was then transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the collision.
An analysis of her vehicle’s crash data recorder revealed that Khan was traveling at 96 miles per hour at the time of the collision. The speed limit on Grand Avenue at that location is 35 miles per hour.
A search warrant for the defendant’s blood taken at the hospital revealed that her blood alcohol content was 0.25%, more than three times the legal limit, 42 minutes after the crash.
The defendant claimed that she had drank two mimosas and was late to work at John F. Kennedy Airport.
Freeman worked at a local printing company and had plans to retire in the next year.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Stephanie Dellinger of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau. The defendant is represented by Lance Lazzaro, Esq.