Lindenhurst man arrested in crash that killed father, 2 children in Massapequa
MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. -- Nassau County police on Friday announced the arrest of a driver in a crash that killed a father and his two children in Massapequa.
Police said Michael DeAngelo, 32, of Lindenhurst was driving over 100 mph and under the influence on Sunrise Highway when the horrific crash happened on Aug. 6.
"The whole week we've been investigating, we've been executing search warrants, we've been looking at blood toxicology, we were looking at the speed of car through the black box, video, witnesses," said Detective Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick. "We have discovered that he was driving under the influence of narcotics and controlled substances."
DeAngelo was arrested and arraigned at a Long Island hospital. He faces numerous charges, including:
- 3 counts of aggravated vehicular homicide
- 3 counts of second degree manslaughter
- 6 counts of second degree assault
- 2 counts of DWI
- 1 count of reckless driving
- 2 counts of third degree assault
Investigators said they found cocaine and fentanyl in DeAngelo's system, but that speed ultimately led to the deadly impact.
"He was traveling one second prior to the collision at over a hundred miles an hour, in fact at 120.55 miles per hour," said Fitzpatrick.
Police said DeAngelo has prior arrests, including two for driving under the influence.
Patrice Huntley, 60, of Flushing, a U.S Marine veteran, died along with his son and daughter. An 18-year-old and Huntley's 6-year-old granddaughter were in critical condition.
Huntley, a U.S. Marine veteran, was taking his family out for ice cream to celebrate a job promotion and his son's 11th birthday.
The children's mother is now planning three funerals and praying her 18-year-old daughter and granddaughter survive.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the funerals and hospital bills.
Editor's note 8/12/23: 6-year-old Chantel Solomon dies from injuries in Massapequa crash